ONSA Dismisses El-Rufai’s Claim of Paying Bandits

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed as false and misleading the claim by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the Federal Government pays ransom and offers incentives to bandits.

El-Rufai, in a television interview on Sunday, alleged that the ONSA coordinates such payments. But in a swift reaction yesterday, the ONSA described the allegation as baseless and contrary to facts on the ground.

A statement by Zakari Mijinyawa, speaking for the ONSA, said at no time has the office, or any government arm under the present administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. Instead, the government has consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom to kidnappers.

The statement stressed that the administration has pursued a two-pronged strategy of decisive military operations combined with community engagements to tackle insecurity. According to ONSA, the approach has yielded results in areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa in Kaduna State, where relative peace has returned.

It listed several notorious bandit leaders, including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari and Boka, who were killed by security forces, while leaders of the terrorist group Ansaru were recently apprehended.

“These successes came at a cost, as some of our brave officers paid the supreme price. For a former governor like El-Rufai to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and insulting to the memories of our security personnel,” the statement read.

The ONSA urged El-Rufai and other political actors to refrain from dragging national security institutions into, Hit. Read. . More.  —  To Uncover Full News