b b
. Mallam El-Rufai
Abuja, September 1, 2025
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has slammed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over claims that the federal government pays or incentivizes bandits, calling the allegations “baseless” and “false.”
In a statement released Monday, ONSA said neither it nor any government agency under the current administration has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. The agency stressed that El-Rufai’s comments contradict verifiable facts on the ground.
“From inception, this government adopted a dual strategy: decisive military operations alongside community engagement to address local grievances,” ONSA said. The statement highlighted Kaduna communities like Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which have moved from terror to relative peace thanks to these efforts.
ONSA also listed successes against notorious bandits, including the elimination or capture of leaders such as Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, Boka, and members of the Ansaru terrorist group. The agency paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“The sacrifices of our brave officers cannot be denied. For a former governor to dismiss these efforts on national television is both unfair and insulting,” the statement said.
ONSA concluded by urging all political actors to avoid politicizing national security issues, emphasizing that the fight against banditry is a collective effort, not a platform for political point-scoring.
The press release was signed by Zakari Mijinyawa on behalf of the National Security Adviser.
