The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that it coordinates a policy of paying or offering incentives to bandits.
In a statement issued by ONSA spokesperson Zakari Mijinyawa, the office described El-Rufai’s comments in a recent television interview as “baseless and false,” stressing that neither ONSA nor any arm of government under the current administration has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.
“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom,” the statement said, noting that the federal government has instead pursued a dual strategy combining kinetic military operations with community engagement to restore peace.
According to ONSA, areas of Kaduna State such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which were once strongholds of bandits, now enjoy relative peace due to sustained security operations. The office highlighted the elimination of notorious kingpins including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka, as well as the recent arrest of leaders of the Ansaru sect.
“These successes have come at great cost, with some of our gallant officers paying the supreme price. For a former governor to dismiss these sacrifices is both unfair and insulting to the memories of our security personnel,” the statement added.
ONSA urged political actors to refrain from dragging national security institutions into partisan disputes, emphasizing that the fight against banditry is a shared responsibility rather than an avenue for political point-scoring.
