By Emmanuel Obisue
Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that the government pays ransom or offers incentives to bandits.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Zakari Mijinyawa, on behalf of the ONSA, described El-Rufai’s allegations as false and contrary to established facts on the ground.
“This claim is baseless. At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals,” the statement read. “On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on ground,” it added.
The ONSA explained that the current administration adopted a dual strategy of decisive military operations alongside community engagements, which has restored relative peace in troubled areas of Kaduna such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa.
It further highlighted the successes of security forces in eliminating notorious bandit leaders including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari and Boka, while Ansaru leaders who previously operated bases in the state were also apprehended.
“These successes came at a cost; some of our brave officers paid the supreme price. For a former governor of a state in person of El-Rufai to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel,” the statement added.
The ONSA urged political leaders to refrain from dragging security institutions into partisan disputes, stressing that the fight against banditry must remain a collective national effort.
