The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has denied allegations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that it funds or rewards bandits as part of a national policy.
In a statement on Monday, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) described El-Rufai’s comments as “baseless.” Zakari Mijinyawa, speaking for ONSA, stressed that neither the office nor any arm of government under the current administration pays ransom or offers incentives to criminals.
“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s allegations contradict verifiable facts,” the ONSA said. It explained that the government tackles insecurity through community engagement and decisive military operations.
The statement also condemned El-Rufai’s dismissal of military sacrifices.
“For a former governor to deny these sacrifices on national television is unfair and insulting to the memories of fallen officers,” it added. The ONSA urged political actors to stop dragging national security into partisan debates.
El-Rufai claimed on Channels TV that the government pays bandits monthly and feeds them under non-kinetic strategies. He argued that this policy fuels insecurity, insisting, “The only repentant bandit is a dead one.”
El-Rufai, a former FCT minister, accused authorities of rehabilitating bandits instead of punishing them, stressing locals know the truth.
