By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Concerned citizens of Kaduna State have firmly rejected claims by former Governor Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai that the current state government under Senator Uba Sani paid N1 billion to bandits.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Kaduna NUJ Secretariat on Monday, Convener of the group, Abdulrashid Teslim described the allegation as false, politically motivated, and damaging to public confidence in governance.
According to him, the assertion aired on Channels Television lacked any credible evidence and sought to tarnish the image of the present administration.
“No such payment was ever made by the Kaduna State Government to any criminal element,” Abdulrashid emphasized, stressing the administration’s commitment to lawful engagement, transparency, and the rule of law.
The group further expressed concern that El-Rufai’s claims could distract from the ongoing efforts of Governor Uba Sani’s administration to address insecurity through community-based peacebuilding, intelligence-led operations, and socio-economic interventions. “Governor Uba Sani’s policy remains clear: no negotiation, no payments, and no dealings with bandits,” the citizens said.
Highlighting historical context, the statement noted that Kaduna experienced its highest rates of killings and insecurity under El-Rufai’s tenure, contrasting it with relative stability during the administrations of former governors including Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.
While former leaders have been actively contributing to peacebuilding, the group accused El-Rufai of issuing divisive statements that undermine reconciliation and security initiatives.
The press briefing also referenced the earlier clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which categorically denied any payment of ransom by the Kaduna State Government or any other government entity, reinforcing the claim that El-Rufai’s statement is disconnected from national security realities.
The citizens urged El-Rufai to desist from unsubstantiated statements and called on the media, civil society, and Nigerians at large to remain vigilant against political gimmicks. “Kaduna deserves unity, collaboration, and progress. We will continue to speak the truth without fear,” the group added.