Ribadu Blasts El-Rufai: ‘Your Banditry Claims Insult Fallen Heroes'

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

Abuja, 1 September 2025 — Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has forcefully dismissed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing the presidency of orchestrating a “non-kinetic” policy that allegedly pays off bandits.

In a statement circulated Monday morning, Ribadu’s office labelled the former governor’s claims as “false, baseless, and deeply insulting to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces,” reiterating that “at no time has the ONSA… engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.” Instead, the government has consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransoms—a matter of public record.

“The allegation that the ONSA coordinates payments, food, or monthly allowances for bandits is outright nonsense,” Ribadu’s statement read, echoing his office’s outrage at El-Rufai’s remarks during a recent broadcast.

Ribadu emphasised that the administration employs a dual strategy—combining decisive kinetic (military) operations with community engagement to address underlying grievances. He credited this approach with stabilising areas in Kaduna such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa, which were once terror hotspots but now show signs of relative peace.

Notably, the NSA spotlighted security successes including the elimination of notorious bandit kingpins—Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka—as well as the recent apprehension of Ansaru terror network leaders who had established bases in the state.

“These successes came at a cost,” the statement acknowledged. “Some of our brave officers paid the supreme 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.”

Ribadu Stresses Broader Security Gains

Ribadu further appealed to political actors—including El-Rufai—to refrain from framing national security institutions as tools in partisan disputes, stressing that “the fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring.”

He also reiterated recent progress in nationwide counter-terrorism efforts: Boko Haram attacks, banditry, and communal conflicts have declined considerably in the past two years, with over 11,200 hostages freed as of May 2025—results he attributes to President Tinubu’s directive for a unified security approach.