The Kaduna State Government has rejected as false and politically motivated the allegation by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that Governor Uba Sani’s administration paid ₦1 billion to bandits. In a statement released on Sunday, the government issued a one-week ultimatum demanding that El-Rufai either provide evidence or retract the claim or face legal action.
El-Rufai had made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television, suggesting that the current government made payments to criminal groups. However, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), described the claim as “reckless, baseless and deliberately misleading.”
The government said El-Rufai’s comments amounted to weaponising a sensitive security matter for political reasons, insisting that Governor Sani has never approved nor issued any payment to bandits. It noted that the governor has consistently maintained this position in public engagements.
According to the statement, even the Office of the National Security Adviser previously dismissed similar accusations by El-Rufai as unfounded and inconsistent with national security practices. It emphasized that neither federal nor state governments engage in ransom payments.
The Kaduna Government restated its community-driven security strategy, which focuses on stronger military operations, collaboration with legitimate local leaders, and expanding access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Grassroots groups such as the Birnin-Gwari Vanguard also refuted El-Rufai’s claims.
The government challenged the former governor to present credible evidence—bank records, memos or security documents—while reaffirming its commitment to transparency and responsible security management.
