Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has fired back at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Kaduna State Government (KDSG), insisting that both entities are deflecting from serious issues by accusing him of politicising national security.
In a detailed statement released via his social media handles on Monday, El-Rufai reiterated his claims that government agencies are complicit in funding bandits and are using national security as a political weapon.
“As usual, the combined voices of the Government of Kaduna State (KDSG) and ONSA, instead of responding to the core issues I raised, seek to deflect responsibility by alleging that exposing them amounts to politicising security,” El-Rufai wrote.
He was responding to criticisms that followed his recent interview on Channels Television, in which he accused the federal and state governments of secretly negotiating with bandits and making undisclosed payments to armed groups.
El-Rufai doubled down on his previous comments and raised new questions about the mechanics of alleged payments to bandits.
He asked: who delivers the money?, How much is paid?, Are intermediaries or “middlemen” taking a cut?, Who has been buying prime real estate in Abuja in recent years, and with what funds?
“What exactly constitutes ‘negotiations with bandits’? Why is non-kinetic approach to addressing banditry and criminality equal to withdrawals of huge amounts of money from state treasuries and handing them over to bandits and terrorists?” he queried.
“Which officials and their intermediaries deliver this money, and how much personal withholding tax do they apply before delivery of the funds? Who are the most prolific purchasers of prime real estate in Abuja in the last two years, and what is the source of their newfound wealth?”
He described the current situation as a “charade” carried out by ONSA at a high cost to national finances and ethics, alleging that it was enabling a culture of corruption and impunity.
While harshly critical of the civil leadership of the security apparatus, El-Rufai expressed deep respect for the military and frontline officers, citing his family’s military background and experience working with multiple service chiefs during his time in office.
“As a person whose three siblings served in the Nigerian Army and the Air Force, with one of them rising to the rank of general, I will also continue to appreciate the immense work that continues to be done by gallant officers of the military and security agencies,” he said.
However, he accused ONSA, under its current leadership, of politicising security more than ever before.
“It is a well-known fact to discerning Nigerians that the face of the politicisation of national security for politically intended purposes resides, for the first time in our recent history, in the ONSA under its present leadership.”
Citing recent attacks, El-Rufai questioned the effectiveness of “non-kinetic” approaches to security, particularly in Kaduna State.
“After the much-publicised negotiations with bandits in Birnin Gwari… did the bandits not kill five citizens in the same Birnin Gwari LGA last month?”
He claimed that violent incidents continue to occur in multiple LGAs even after purported peace talks.
El-Rufai also criticised what he called performative gestures by security agencies and political figures, such as the public display of rescued victims and participation of senior officers at political events.
He accused the Kaduna State Government of tolerating or enabling violence against political opponents, pointing to the recent disruption of an ADC meeting in Kaduna as a case in point.
“Our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and security officers is deep. That is why we speak out about those saddled with immense responsibility two years ago who seem to view security management as a persistent exercise in propaganda,” he added.
El-Rufai concluded his statement by calling on the ONSA and the Kaduna State Government to focus on solving insecurity, rather than attempting to silence criticism.
“This charade by ONSA is being done gleefully at a steep cost to the finances of the country and the ethical fabric of our society.”
