The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the federal government pays incentives to bandits. El-Rufai made the allegation during a television interview on Sunday.
According to Mediaplusng.com, ONSA described the statement as false and misleading, stressing that no arm of government under the current administration has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. Instead, Nigerians have been repeatedly warned not to pay ransom to kidnappers.
The agency explained that the government’s security approach combines strong military action with community engagement to address grievances fueling insecurity. This dual strategy, it said, has restored relative calm in once-troubled areas such as Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and Igabi in Kaduna State.
Reports by Mediaplusng.com also highlight recent breakthroughs by security forces, including the arrest of Ansaru leaders who once operated from bases in Kaduna. These successes, ONSA noted, came at a high price, as many gallant officers lost their lives in the line of duty.
ONSA expressed concern that a former governor like El-Rufai would dismiss the sacrifices of security personnel on national television. It urged political actors to avoid dragging sensitive national security issues into partisan politics.
The fight against banditry, ONSA stressed, is a shared responsibility that requires unity, not divisive claims.
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