Kawu Garba Tackles El-Rufai Over Security Allegations in Kaduna

A fresh round of political sparring has erupted between former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and commentators defending the state government, following his recent claims about the handling of insecurity.

El-Rufai, in a lengthy statement, had accused the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Kaduna State Government of politicizing national security. He suggested that their current approach to insecurity was flawed and ineffective, reviving debates about the federal government’s strategy in tackling terrorism and banditry.

Responding sharply, public affairs analyst Kawu Garba challenged El-Rufai to provide evidence for his allegations that government officials were paying bandits. “If you have evidence that the Kaduna State Government or ONSA is paying bandits, bring the evidence and stop writing long essays without facts,” Garba wrote on X. He argued that attempts to discredit the efforts of the present Kaduna administration and the NSA would not succeed, adding that residents of the state are aware of the truth.

Garba defended the government’s reliance on a non-kinetic approach—dialogue and peace talks with armed groups—describing it as consistent with international standards. According to him, this approach has begun to yield results, particularly in southern Kaduna, which he accused El-Rufai of neglecting during his eight years as governor.

In a stinging rebuke, Garba turned El-Rufai’s criticism back on him, asking why he was not ashamed to speak against peace initiatives when he himself had been accused of paying terrorists during his tenure.

The exchange underscores mounting tensions over Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy and El-Rufai’s growing role as one of the most outspoken critics of the Tinubu administration. It also revives longstanding debates about his legacy in Kaduna, especially concerning how his government managed the complex and often violent conflicts in the state.