The Kaduna State Government has rejected allegations by former Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai that the administration of Governor Uba Sani paid ₦1 billion to bandits.
The state described the claims as false, politically motivated, and devoid of any credible evidence.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), the government said El-Rufai’s comments, made during a Channels Television interview, were “a fabrication devoid of context, substance, or credibility.”
According to the Commissioner, El-Rufai’s remarks amount to “recklessly weaponising a sensitive security matter for political grandstanding,” behaviour he said falls short of what is expected from a former governor.
The government reaffirmed that Governor Uba Sani has never approved, negotiated, or released funds to any criminal group.
“Not one naira, not one kobo,” the statement insisted, noting that the governor has consistently maintained this stance in public engagements.
Shu’aibu also reminded the public that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had earlier dismissed similar allegations by El-Rufai, saying they were unfounded and inconsistent with national security protocols. “ONSA affirmed that neither the Federal Government nor state governments pay ransom to criminal elements,” he said.
The state government emphasized that its security approach is anchored on community engagement, reinforced military operations, and socio-economic improvements such as expanded access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
“The State engages communities, not bandits,” the statement stressed.
Shu’aibu added that local watchdog groups, such as the Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, which witnessed severe insecurity during El-Rufai’s tenure, have publicly debunked the former governor’s claims as misleading.
He further noted that some senior officials who served under El-Rufai previously accused him of releasing public funds to appease certain groups, making his current allegations “deeply paradoxical.”
Since assuming office, Governor Sani has focused on reopening markets, schools, and farmlands, and restoring trust across communities that suffered years of insecurity, the statement said.
The Kaduna State Government has challenged El-Rufai to provide concrete evidence, such as bank records, internal memos, or official security documents, if he possesses any.
It also pointed out that similar allegations he made in September 2025 were never substantiated.
Consequently, the government has demanded a full retraction and an unreserved public apology within one week.
Failure to comply, it warned, would force the state to initiate legal proceedings to “safeguard public order and institutional integrity.”
Reaffirming its commitment to transparent governance, the administration stated that it would not allow itself to be distracted by “politics of bitterness, fearmongering, or orchestrated falsehoods.”
