Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday strongly rebutted recent accusations from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Kaduna State Government (KDSG) that he was politicizing national security issues. Instead, El-Rufai doubled down on his earlier claims that security agencies are using insecurity as a political tool and are complicit in paying bandits.
In a detailed statement shared on his social media platforms, El-Rufai accused the ONSA and Kaduna government of deflecting from the “core issues” he raised during a recent interview with Channels Television. He alleged that state actors have been involved in financially incentivizing armed criminal groups operating in Kaduna and neighboring states.
“As usual, the combined voices of the Government of Kaduna State and ONSA, instead of addressing the central concerns I raised, seek to deflect responsibility by alleging that exposing them amounts to politicizing security,” El-Rufai said.
He emphasized his respect for the military, noting that three of his siblings served in the Nigerian Army and Air Force, including one who rose to the rank of general. However, he insisted that the politicization of national security is unprecedented under the current ONSA leadership.
El-Rufai challenged the authorities to explain the mechanics of alleged payments to bandits, asking: who delivers the money? How much is handed over? Are middlemen skimming funds? He also questioned the source of recent purchases of prime real estate in Abuja, suggesting they could be linked to illicit financial flows.
“This charade by ONSA is being conducted at a steep cost to the country’s finances and ethical fabric,” he stated, urging the government to focus on strengthening security forces with better resources rather than allegedly “mollycoddling” bandits.
He further questioned the so-called negotiations with bandits, pointing out that violent attacks resumed shortly after such talks. “After the much-publicized negotiations with bandits in Birnin Gwari, did the bandits not kill five citizens there last month?” El-Rufai asked, listing other local government areas still plagued by kidnappings and killings.
The former governor criticized ONSA’s public relations tactics, such as parading “rescued victims” and having senior security officials attend political events, as politicizing security matters.
El-Rufai also accused the Kaduna State Government of sponsoring or enabling violence against political opponents, referencing the disruption of an African Democratic Congress meeting in Kaduna over the weekend.
He concluded by calling on ONSA and Kaduna authorities to prioritize resolving insecurity rather than attempting to silence dissenting voices.
