ONSA Dismisses El-Rufai’s Allegations of Ransom Payments to Bandits
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed as “baseless” recent claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the federal government has been making payments and offering incentives to bandits.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, ONSA described the allegations, made by El-Rufai during a television interview on Sunday, as false and contrary to established facts. The office stressed that neither it, nor any arm of government under the current administration, has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.
“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom,” the statement read. “El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on the ground.”
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The ONSA outlined government’s counter-banditry strategy as a combination of kinetic military operations and community engagements aimed at addressing local grievances. It cited recent improvements in security across Kaduna State, particularly in Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which had previously suffered prolonged attacks.
According to the statement, security forces have recorded significant breakthroughs, including the elimination of notorious kingpins such as Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka. It further disclosed that leaders of the Ansaru terror group, who once maintained bases in Kaduna, had recently been apprehended.
“These successes came at a cost, as some of our brave officers paid the supreme price,” the statement noted. “For a former governor of a state to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel.”
The ONSA urged political leaders to refrain from dragging national security institutions into partisan disputes, emphasizing that the fight against banditry remains a collective responsibility.