The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed allegations by former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai that the federal government is paying bandits to dissuade them from killing Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday signed by Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA’s Head of Strategic Communications, the office described the claim as baseless and false.
Mijinyawa noted that neither ONSA nor any government arm has engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.
“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom,” he said, adding that el-Rufai’s allegations contradict verifiable facts on the ground.
The spokesperson highlighted the government’s approach to tackling banditry, which combines decisive kinetic operations with community engagement to address local grievances.
“The result is evident in areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and other parts of Kaduna that once suffered untold terror in Kaduna state but are now experiencing relative peace,” Mijinyawa said.
Mijinyawa pointed to the successes of security agencies in capturing or eliminating notorious bandits, including kingpins like Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka.
“Only recently, leaders of Ansaru who previously established bases in Kaduna were apprehended,” the statement added.
He also condemned el-Rufai’s “denial of the sacrifices made by security personnel” as “unfair and insulting to their memory.”
Mijinyawa urged the former governor to refrain from politicising national security institutions, emphasizing that the fight against banditry is a collective one and not a platform for political point-scoring.
Nigeria’s security crisis is worsening, with a sharp increase in violence-related deaths.
Persecondnews reports that in the first half of 2025 alone, at least 2,266 people were killed in incidents of banditry and insurgency, according to a report from Nigeria’s human rights agency.
This number is already higher than the 2,194 total deaths recorded for all of 2024, highlighting the escalating security challenges facing the nation.
The first half of 2024 saw 1,083 deaths, highlighting the escalating nature of the crisis.
The military’s efforts to combat these threats have been stretched thin, as they battle multiple fronts.
These include Boko Haram and other insurgencies in the northeast, banditry and kidnappings in the northwest, herder attacks in the central states, and secessionists in the southeast.
June 2025 alone witnessed 606 fatalities, with notable attacks occurring in the central Benue state.
The Yelewata and Dauda communities were targeted by gunmen, resulting in approximately 200 deaths.
This surge in violence underscores the complexity and severity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
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