The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has strongly denied allegations by former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai that it coordinates ransom payments to bandits. In a statement issued on Monday, the security office described the claims as baseless and without merit.
El-Rufai had, in a Sunday interview, alleged that federal government officials were implementing a policy of paying and feeding bandits rather than eliminating them. The former governor criticised what he called a misguided “non-kinetic” approach to addressing insecurity in the country.
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The ONSA, through its head of strategic communications, Zakari Mijinyawa, stated that neither the agency nor any government arm has engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals. He emphasised that the government has consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom to kidnappers.
The security office highlighted that its approach combines decisive military operations with community engagement to address local grievances. The statement concluded by urging the former governor to refrain from politicising national security institutions.
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