‘Eliminate insecurity, not opposition’ – El-Rufai slams ONSA over banditry allegations

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of politicising security while deflecting responsibility for rising banditry across the country.

In a series of posts on his X account, El-Rufai responded to a press statement by ONSA which dismissed his earlier claim that the agency pays money to bandits to prevent attacks.

ONSA had described the allegation as baseless and politically motivated.

But El-Rufai, in what he described as a three-part rebuttal, insisted that the agency was guilty of the same charge.

“It is a well-known fact to discerning Nigerians that the face of the politicization of national security for politically intended purposes resides, for the first time in our recent history, in the ONSA under its present leadership,” he wrote.

“If the ONSA thinks Nigerians are not following its unclear and incompetent management of terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria and beyond… in collaboration with a certain senator, also from the North, then it is high time it carried out an in-depth evaluation and review of its actions.”

‘Stop mollycoddling bandits’

The former governor cited instances of traditional rulers condemning payments to bandits in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and Kebbi states. He said the federal government should strengthen the military rather than negotiate with criminal groups.

“The constitutional, legal and patriotic duty the government owes on security is to better support our military and security agencies with more resources like personnel, equipment and technology, rather than further endangering the country by mollycoddling bandits.

“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 asked.

El-Rufai also linked insecurity to questionable real estate investments in the capital.

“Who are the most prolific purchasers of prime real estate in Abuja in the last two years and what is the source of their new-found wealth? These are questions many discerning citizens are demanding answers, while officials of ONSA and KDSG are focusing on protocol, propaganda and international junkets!”

‘False claims of rescue’

In another part of his outburst, El-Rufai accused ONSA of exaggerating its achievements in securing the release of kidnap victims.

“The parade at the ONSA of ‘rescued victims’ whose families usually frown at the narrative of being ‘rescued’ after they have paid ransoms is another unfortunate propaganda and official falsehood,” he alleged.

He also faulted what he described as the twisting of a foreign aid initiative in Kaduna into “a narrative of donating houses to the victims of banditry in the state.”

“Nigerians should dig deeper into that story and also visit and verify if the said victims are currently occupying those places after the politically-inspired media stunt,” he added.

‘Eliminate insecurity, not opposition voices’

In the concluding part of his response, El-Rufai outlined his record on security during his eight years as governor, stressing the sacrifices of the military.

But he warned against using security management as a cover for propaganda and corruption.

“Neither the ONSA nor the Kaduna State Government can stop the exercise of constitutional rights to associate with others, have meetings, express opinions and alternatives to the fictitious narrative of officialdom.

“Insecurity is the menace they ought to eliminate, not opposition voices and platforms,” he said.

El-Rufai ended his remarks with a warning to ONSA.

“National security is a very serious matter, critical to the peace and prosperity of the country, and the safety and wellbeing of citizens. In managing difficult circumstances, I recommend a new message to ONSA and its sidekick in Kaduna and elsewhere, the admonition by an African patriot of old: ‘tell no lies, claim no easy victories.’”