ONSA Refutes El-Rufai’s Allegations, Insists Federal Government Is Not Paying Bandits
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed as “baseless and false” the claims made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that the federal government is paying bandits monthly stipends and supplying them with food items in exchange for peace.
El-Rufai, while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics on Sunday, August 31, accused the Tinubu administration of pursuing what he described as a “non-kinetic” or “kiss-the-bandits” strategy. He alleged that rather than confronting criminal groups head-on, the government was funding them under the guise of pacification.
The former governor further argued that the only effective solution to banditry is decisive military action, stressing that “the only repentant bandit is a dead one.”
Responding to the allegations on Monday, September 1, ONSA through its spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa, said El-Rufai’s remarks were not only misleading but also an insult to the sacrifices of security personnel who have lost their lives fighting terrorism and banditry across the country.
“The claim that the federal government pays bandits or supplies them with food is utterly false, unfounded, and should be disregarded,” the statement read. “Such assertions dishonour the men and women of the armed forces who have given their lives to secure our nation.”
The ONSA maintained that the government’s counter-terrorism and anti-banditry approach rests on two complementary pillars: decisive kinetic operations led by security forces, and non-kinetic measures such as community engagement aimed at addressing underlying grievances and preventing radicalisation.
Mijinyawa highlighted significant progress achieved in the fight against insecurity, citing improved stability in Kaduna communities such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which were once notorious strongholds of banditry. He noted that several notorious bandit leaders — including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka — had either been neutralised or captured in recent operations. More recently, coordinated strikes dismantled cells linked to Ansaru terrorists in the North-West.
“The results are visible and undeniable,” ONSA stressed, adding that the administration remains committed to ensuring that no safe haven exists for criminals anywhere in the country.
The office also cautioned political leaders and stakeholders against exploiting national security issues for political advantage. According to the statement, defeating terrorism and banditry is a collective national responsibility that requires unity, rather than divisive rhetoric.
El-Rufai’s comments have stirred strong reactions, with some Nigerians viewing his remarks as a candid critique of federal security policy, while others see it as unnecessarily provocative at a time when the country needs cohesion in tackling its worsening security challenges.
The development underscores ongoing debates around the best strategies to address insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria, where banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks have claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.
