The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed the false and misleading, allegations made by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the government is coordinating a policy of making payments or offering incentives to bandits.

El-Rufai, during a televised interview on Sunday, alleged that the ONSA was behind a scheme of ransom payments to criminal groups. In a swift reaction, ONSA spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa, described the claim as “baseless and unfounded,” stressing that no arm of the government under the present administration has ever engaged in such practices.

According to Mijinyawa, the government has consistently maintained a clear stance against ransom payments, repeatedly warning citizens not to encourage criminality by yielding to such demands.

He noted that since inception, the administration has pursued a dual strategy of sustained military operations alongside community engagement to address local grievances. The approach, he said, has significantly reduced insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, including Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which previously suffered relentless attacks.

Highlighting security gains, ONSA cited the neutralisation of notorious bandit leaders such as Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari and Boka, as well as the recent arrest of Ansaru commanders who once operated bases in Kaduna. These successes, Mijinyawa added, came with heavy sacrifices, as several gallant officers paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

He described El-Rufai’s remarks as not only untrue but also insulting to the memories of fallen security personnel.

“The fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring. We urge El-Rufai and other political actors to desist from dragging national security institutions into partisan battles,” Mijinyawa stated.