FG Dismisses El-Rufai’s Claim of “Kiss-the-Bandits” Policy

FG has dismissed El-Rufai’s claim of “Kiss-the-Bandits” policy.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has rejected claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that it runs a policy of empowering bandits through payments and incentives.

In a statement on Monday, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) described the allegation as false, stressing that no arm of government under the current administration engages in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.

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“El-Rufai alleged, falsely, that the ONSA coordinates a policy of payments and offers incentives to bandits. This claim is baseless. At no time has the ONSA or any government agency engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals,” the statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa read.

The ONSA explained that the government’s counter-banditry strategy combines decisive military operations with community engagement to address local grievances, citing relative peace in Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and other parts of Kaduna State.

It noted that the military has recorded significant successes, including the capture of Ansaru leaders who once operated in Kaduna. The office emphasized that these gains came at great cost, with some officers paying the ultimate price.

“For a former governor to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel,” ONSA stated, urging political leaders to avoid dragging national security into partisan debates.

On Sunday, El-Rufai, during a Channels Television interview, accused the federal government of adopting what he called a “kiss-the-bandits policy.” He alleged that bandits were being paid allowances and provided food under the guise of non-kinetic measures.

“The only repentant bandit is a dead one. Let’s kill them all, bomb them until they are reduced to nothing, and then rehabilitate the few that remain. You don’t empower your enemy with money and food,” El-Rufai said.

The ex-governor argued that such policies prolong insecurity, insisting that negotiation from a “position of weakness” only emboldens criminal elements.