The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed as “baseless” recent claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the Federal Government has been paying ransom and offering incentives to bandits.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, ONSA described El-Rufai’s allegations—made during a television interview on Sunday—as false and contrary to verifiable facts. The office stressed that neither it, 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 read. “El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on the ground.”
The office outlined the government’s counter-banditry approach as a blend of sustained military operations and community engagements aimed at tackling local grievances fueling insecurity. It noted recent improvements in security across Kaduna State, particularly in Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa Local Government Areas, which had previously been hotspots of prolonged attacks.
According to ONSA, security forces have achieved notable successes, including the neutralisation of notorious kingpins such as Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka. It also disclosed that leaders of the Ansaru terror group, who once maintained bases in Kaduna, were recently apprehended.
“These successes came at a cost, as some of our brave officers paid the supreme price,” the statement added. “For a former governor of a state to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel.”
The ONSA urged political leaders to avoid dragging national security institutions into partisan disputes, stressing that combating banditry remains a collective responsibility.