The Federal Government has strongly dismissed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accusing it of secretly funding and empowering bandits through ransom payments and inducements.
El-Rufai had reportedly alleged that the government coordinated huge payments, including a staggering ₦1 billion supposedly given to criminal groups during his tenure as governor. His claims, widely circulated in the media, have triggered public concern and renewed debate over the handling of insecurity in the North.
But in a swift rebuttal on Monday, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) described the allegations as baseless and misleading, insisting that no arm of the current administration has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminal elements.
In a statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA maintained that El-Rufai’s accusations do not align with verifiable facts. At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on ground,” the statement read in part
The ONSA further stressed that the current administration has, since inception, pursued a comprehensive strategy in tackling insecurity. According to the office, the approach combines “decisive kinetic operations” by security agencies with “community engagements” designed to address grievances and root causes of violence.
Officials pointed to visible improvements in security in some of the most volatile parts of Kaduna State, such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which were once hotspots of kidnappings and bandit attacks. The result is evident in areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and other parts of Kaduna State that once suffered untold terror but are now experiencing relative peace,” the ONSA added.
The federal government also reassured citizens of its commitment to sustaining military offensives against terrorists and bandits, while at the same time fostering community trust and cooperation.
The rebuttal marks the latest twist in the fraught conversation about security in the North-West, where banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes have claimed thousands of lives in recent years. Analysts say the face-off between El-Rufai and the federal government could further polarize discourse on whether ransom payments—official or private—are fueling the crisis.
Despite the heated exchanges, ONSA maintained that government policy remains clear: no ransom should be paid to criminals under any circumstance.