The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has strongly refuted recent allegations made by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the federal government, through ONSA, pays bandits and offers them incentives as part of its counterterrorism strategy.

 

In a statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa, on behalf of the Office, ONSA described El-Rufai’s comments—made during a television interview on Sunday—as baseless and false, insisting that no part of the current administration has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.

 

“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.

 

ONSA emphasized that the federal government has maintained a consistent stance against the payment of ransom, warning citizens to avoid such actions and labelling El-Rufai’s allegations as contradictory to verifiable facts on the ground.

 

The office further outlined the federal government’s dual-pronged approach in fighting banditry—combining kinetic military operations with community-based engagements aimed at addressing local grievances. This approach, ONSA noted, has resulted in significant security gains in areas of Kaduna State such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which were once overrun by terrorists but are now enjoying relative calm.

 

Highlighting recent security successes, ONSA noted that several high-profile bandit leaders—including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow, Janburos, Buhari, and Boka—have been killed or captured in security operations. The statement also confirmed the recent apprehension of Ansaru terrorist leaders, who had established operational bases in parts of Kaduna.

 

“These successes came at a cost. Some of our brave officers paid the supreme price,” the statement noted, adding that it was “both unfair and deeply insulting” for a former governor like El-Rufai to disregard the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s security forces.

 

ONSA cautioned political actors against politicizing national security, urging them to support the collective fight against banditry rather than using it as a platform for political point-scoring.

 

“The fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring,” the statement concluded.