By Olakunle Oke
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the Federal Government engages in ransom payments and incentives to bandits.
El-Rufai, in a television interview on Sunday, alleged that the ONSA coordinates a policy of negotiating with criminals.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, ONSA described the comments as “false and baseless,” stressing that no arm of government under the present administration has ever engaged in such practices.
The statement noted that rather than offering inducements, government has consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom to criminal groups.
According to ONSA, the administration adopted a dual strategy from inception—decisive military operations complemented with community engagement to address local grievances fueling insecurity.
The office said the approach has yielded results in Kaduna communities such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which once suffered heavy attacks but are now enjoying relative peace.
It highlighted several achievements of security agencies in Kaduna, including the elimination of notorious bandit leaders like Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka.
It also recalled the recent capture of leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group who had established operational bases in the state.
While acknowledging that the gains came at great sacrifice, ONSA expressed dismay that El-Rufai downplayed the efforts of security forces, describing his remarks as unfair and insulting to the memories of fallen officers.
The office cautioned political actors against dragging national security institutions into partisan disputes.
“The fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring,” the statement stressed.
