Federal Government Denies Empowering Bandits, Dismisses El-Rufai’s Claims
The Federal Government has strongly denied allegations made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that it empowers bandits through policies involving payments and incentives.
In a statement released on Monday, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) described El-Rufai’s assertions as “baseless” and not supported by facts.
"El-Rufai falsely claimed that the ONSA coordinates a policy of paying and incentivising bandits. This allegation is entirely unfounded," the statement read.
The ONSA firmly stated that neither its office nor any arm of the current administration has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. On the contrary, the government has consistently cautioned citizens against paying ransom to kidnappers, warning that such actions only encourage further criminal activities.
The statement, signed by Zakari Mijinyawa on behalf of the ONSA, further noted that the government has adopted a dual approach to tackling insecurity — combining aggressive military action with community engagement aimed at addressing local grievances.
It highlighted the improved security situation in formerly volatile areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa in Kaduna State, which are now witnessing relative peace. The ONSA credited this progress to the efforts of security forces, pointing out recent successes such as the capture of Ansaru leaders who had previously established strongholds in the region.
“It is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memory of fallen military personnel for a former state governor to publicly discredit the sacrifices of our security forces,” the statement added.
The government urged El-Rufai and other political figures to avoid politicising national security, emphasising that combating banditry is a shared responsibility that requires unity and support across the board.
El-Rufai had, in a recent interview, criticised the government for what he described as a “kiss-the-bandits” approach, alleging that criminals were receiving monthly stipends and food supplies under the guise of non-kinetic engagement strategies. He expressed dismay over what he perceives as a policy that prioritises rehabilitating criminals over holding them accountable.
However, his remarks have triggered backlash from several quarters. The Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, for instance, dismissed El-Rufai’s claims as “lies and half-truths.” The group pointed to the success of a local peace initiative in Birnin-Gwari, which has helped restore relative calm and economic activities—without making any payments to bandits.
Reaffirming its stance, the ONSA maintained that the government has never supported criminals through payments or incentives and called on all stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to end insecurity across the country.
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