NSA, Kaduna govt knock El-rufai, says he left state in ruins, peace not negotiable

…as ONSA describes ex- Gov’s claims baseless, untrue

Former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El- rufai has been reprimanded by both the Kadua State government and the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) for his claims over Saturday’s political crisis in Kaduna State.

He was accused of spreading falsehood and inciting the public against the state government, thereby creating tension capable of disrupting the peace in Kaduna State.

This is as the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, refuted claims by ex- governor that both federal and state agencies facilitate negotiations with criminal elements and payment of ransom to free hostages.

El- rufai had on Sunday while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics alleged that both federal and state authorities were involved in negotiating and bribing bandits.

While warning El- rufai to stop spreading the “unfair and untrue” statements that the state government under Governor Uba Sani has been paying ransom to bandits, the government said peace in Kaduna State is non- negotiable.

On Monday, the state commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu knocked the former governor for what was described as “overt provocation and covert manipulation after his political surrogates were roundly defeated in the August 16 bye- elections.”

Warning El- rufai, the state government said “the good people of Kaduna State have endured enough trauma, bloodshed and division.

“This government will not fold its arms and allow a discredited former leader , who left the state in ruins to ignite chaos and plunge the state into another era of ethno- religious tension, insecurity, and economic stagnation”.

Shuaibu in the statement further alleged that El- rufai convened an “illegal and chaotic political meeting” on August 30 which degenerated into violence that endangered lives of innocent citizens but the ex- governor alleged that the state sponsored thugs to disrupt the political gathering.

“Why would a governor who has just won the hearts of the people through credible elections need to disrupt a gathering of losers”, Shuaibu quipped.

Also the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) on Monday in a statement by Director of Legal Services, Zakaria Mijinyawa said El- rufai’s claims were “not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on ground”.

Denying allegations by the former governor that ONSA or any government agency has been facilitating random.payment, Shuaibu said “from inception, this government adopted a dual strategy , decisive kinetic operations alongside community engagements aimed at addressing local grievances .

“The result is evident in areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa and other parts of Kaduna that once suffered untold terror but are now experiencing relative peace”.

ONSA named Baderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari and Boka as some of the criminal elements neutralized in addition to the arrest of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist sect.