Datti Baba-Ahmed Demands Probe of El-Rufai over Alleged FG Payments to Bandits

Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has urged the Federal Government to immediately interrogate former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, following his controversial claim that successive governments had been paying monthly stipends and providing food to bandits under the guise of “non-kinetic measures.”

Speaking on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said El-Rufai’s revelation was too weighty to be ignored, stressing that such an admission, if true, raises serious national security and governance concerns.

He argued that Nigerians deserved full disclosure on whether public funds were being used to finance criminal elements responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, and destruction across the country.

“El-Rufai has openly stated that bandits were being paid and fed by the federal government. This is an indictment that cannot be swept under the carpet.

He must be questioned immediately to provide details who authorized these payments, how much was spent, and which agencies were involved,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

He further warned that silence or inaction on the matter could amount to complicity, as the alleged funding of armed groups directly undermines the war against terrorism and banditry.

Security analysts have long criticized aspects of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, with concerns that reliance on amnesty programs and non-kinetic engagements may inadvertently embolden criminal groups.

Baba-Ahmed’s call adds weight to growing demands for transparency and accountability in the fight against insecurity.

The Federal Government is yet to respond to the fresh calls for investigation. El-Rufai himself has not issued any clarification beyond his earlier remarks.