THE Federal Government has strongly refuted claims by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that it supports and funds bandits under the guise of security policy.
In a statement released today by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), spokesperson Zakari Mijinyawa dismissed El-Rufai’s comments as “baseless,” stressing that neither the ONSA nor any arm of government under the current administration has ever paid ransom or offered inducements to criminals.
“At no time has the ONSA engaged in ransom payments or inducements to bandits,” the statement read. “On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but contradict verifiable facts.”
The government emphasized that its strategy against insecurity combines military operations with community engagement, a dual approach it says has delivered results in parts of Kaduna State previously plagued by violence, including Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa.
It highlighted the arrest of key Ansaru leaders and other notable successes, while also acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel who lost their lives in the fight.
“For a former governor to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and insulting to the memories of our fallen heroes,” the ONSA noted, urging political leaders to refrain from politicizing national security issues.
Speaking yesterday on Channels Tv, El-Rufai had accused the federal government of running what he described as a “kiss-the-bandits policy,” claiming that security operatives provided monthly stipends and food supplies to criminals under a so-called “non-kinetic approach.”
“My position has always been that the only repentant bandit is a dead one,” El-Rufai said.
“You don’t empower your enemy with money or food; you eliminate them. That is why insecurity persists.”
The former FCT minister argued that the alleged rehabilitation approach emboldens criminals and prolongs insecurity across states such as Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina.
The Federal Government, however, maintains that its approach has reduced violence in affected communities and insists that El-Rufai’s claims are unfounded.