NSA and Kaduna Government Refute El-Rufai’s Claim of Paying Bandits to Maintain Peace

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has faced criticism after alleging that authorities are disbursing large sums to bandits to secure calm. Both the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Kaduna State officials have dismissed these accusations as unfounded and divisive.

ONSA and the Kaduna State Government condemned El-Rufai for politicizing the nation’s security challenges instead of acknowledging the collective efforts to combat banditry. According to Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA’s Director of Legal Services, the claims contradict the verified situation on the ground, stressing that no government agency under President Tinubu has authorized ransom payments to criminals.

The current administration employs a two-pronged approach which include, rigorous security operations and engagement with local communities to address root causes. This strategy has yielded notable peace improvements in previously terrorized areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa. Notorious bandit leaders including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka have been neutralized, while Ansaru cell heads operating in Kaduna have been arrested.

The Kaduna State Government added that El-Rufai’s recent actions, including orchestrating a tumultuous political gathering that led to violence on August 30, amount to deliberate attempts at destabilization. Commissioner Suleiman Shuiabu labeled the former governor’s statements as inflammatory, disrespectful to the sacrifices of security forces and communities committed to peace. The joint security-community partnership under Governor Uba Sani has been pivotal in restoring calm.

Critics from the North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC-APC) Forum also accused El-Rufai of spreading misinformation and harboring political motives after being sidelined from President Tinubu’s administration. Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum’s chairman, said that the security situation has progressed drastically, with no evidence of ransom dealings involving the current government.

El-Rufai’s pessimistic forecast that President Tinubu will rank third in the 2027 election was also disputed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. Wike expressed confidence in Tinubu’s victory, dismissing El-Rufai’s calculations as flawed and politically motivated.