Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has firmly rejected claims made by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who accused the state government of paying bandits under the guise of a non-kinetic security strategy. Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Sani described these allegations as “political mischief” designed to mislead the public and undermine his administration’s efforts to combat insecurity in the region.
The controversy stems from remarks made by El-Rufai on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on August 31, 2025. El-Rufai had alleged that the Kaduna and federal governments were funding armed groups by providing them with monthly allowances and food supplies, as part of what he termed a “kiss-the-bandits policy.” In his statement, El-Rufai condemned the policy, insisting that the only solution to banditry is military action, saying, “The only repentant bandit is a dead one. Let’s kill them all.”
In response, Governor Sani refuted the accusations, stating that the Kaduna government has never paid any money to bandits. He emphasized that the Kaduna State security model, which focuses on empowerment, addressing root causes, and building community trust, has been a success story. “We have not paid one naira to anybody. Our model is based on community engagement and empowerment, not on financial incentives for criminals,” he clarified.
Governor Sani elaborated that, unlike the insurgency in the North-East, which is driven by ideological motives, the insecurity in Kaduna and the North-West is primarily economically motivated. He stressed that the Kaduna model complements military operations by focusing on rural governance, revitalizing farming communities, and fostering trust among local populations.
“Our Kaduna model has received commendation from security chiefs across the country,” Sani added. “It is a community-driven initiative, supported by religious and traditional leaders. It is not about paying bandits but addressing the root causes of insecurity.”
In contrast to El-Rufai’s claims, Sani maintained that political actors who seek to use insecurity for partisan advantage have mischaracterized the state’s approach. “Some politicians are trying to misguide the public for political points, but in Kaduna, nobody has paid a naira. We were elected to solve problems, not to blame others,” he said.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has also weighed in, dismissing El-Rufai’s accusations as “false, baseless, and insulting.” The ONSA reaffirmed that no government, including Kaduna’s, has authorized payments or rewards for armed groups, and that the national security framework involves a combination of military action and community engagement efforts.
Despite these rebuttals, El-Rufai has stood by his position, accusing both ONSA and the Kaduna government of politicizing security matters to evade scrutiny.
