Abuja, Monday, September 1, 2025 — The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed as false and baseless claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the Federal Government is involved in making payments or offering incentives to bandits.
In a press statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa on Monday, ONSA said El-Rufai’s remarks, made during a television interview on Sunday, were not only misleading but also an insult to the sacrifices of security operatives who have lost their lives in the fight against banditry.
“At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals,” the statement read. “On the contrary, Nigerians have been consistently warned against paying ransom.”
According to the NSA’s office, the government’s counter-banditry approach has been anchored on a dual strategy of decisive military operations alongside community engagements to address local grievances.
The statement highlighted successes recorded in Kaduna, particularly in flashpoint areas like Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which have witnessed relative peace after years of terror.
It also recalled that several notorious bandit leaders who once operated in Kaduna State — including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka — were neutralized by security forces, while leaders of the Ansaru terror group previously based in the state have been apprehended.
“These successes came at a cost, with some of our gallant officers paying the supreme price,” ONSA noted. “For a former governor to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel.”
The NSA’s office urged El-Rufai and other political actors to avoid dragging national security institutions into partisan battles, stressing that the war against banditry is a collective struggle and “not a platform for political point-scoring.”
