The Federal Government has strongly dismissed claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is secretly paying and providing food to bandits.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai alleged that the Federal Government was implementing a “kiss-the-bandits policy,” which he described as a soft landing for criminals. According to him, the policy was being driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), with bandits allegedly receiving monthly allowances and food supplies under the guise of “non-kinetic engagement.”
NSA Ribadu Responds
Reacting to the allegations, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, through his spokesperson Zakari Mijinyawa, described El-Rufai’s comments as false, misleading, and insulting to the memory of security operatives who have lost their lives fighting banditry.
Ribadu clarified that the Federal Government has never paid ransom, funded, or fed terrorists, stressing that the administration has repeatedly warned Nigerians against such practices.
“On the contrary, from inception, this government adopted a dual strategy: decisive military operations (kinetic) alongside community engagement (non-kinetic) to address local grievances,” Ribadu stated. He added that results are already evident in Kaduna communities such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which are now enjoying relative peace after years of terror.
Terrorist Financing and Regional Security
The development comes as Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, recently revealed that terrorists in Nigeria are increasingly funding their operations through the illegal gold trade.
In a related security update, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, warned that Africa now faces the threat of over 1,000 active terrorist groups operating across the continent.
Bottom Line
The Federal Government insists it is committed to a tough, uncompromising stance against terrorism and rejects claims that it is aiding criminals.
