Office of the National Security Adviser Denies El-Rufai’s Claims of Ransom Payments to Bandits

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that the federal government pays or offers inducements to bandits. In a statement on Monday, the ONSA described the claims as false and baseless, emphasizing that the administration has never been involved in ransom payments and continues to warn citizens against engaging in such practices.
Responding to El-Rufai’s remarks accusing the government of adopting a lenient approach to banditry, the ONSA said the comments disrespected the sacrifices of security personnel who have died in the line of duty. It urged political figures to avoid using national security for political point-scoring.