The Kaduna State Government has firmly denied claims by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the administration of Governor Uba Sani paid ₦1 billion to bandits, describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and politically motivated.
In a sharp rebuttal issued on Sunday, the government gave El-Rufai a one-week ultimatum to provide verifiable evidence to support his allegation or publicly withdraw it. Failure to comply, the government warned, will prompt immediate legal action to protect public order and the integrity of state institutions.
El-Rufai had made the controversial statement during a recent interview on Channels Television, suggesting that the current administration engaged in secret financial settlements with bandits.
However, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), dismissed the claims as “reckless, baseless, and deliberately misleading.”
The statement condemned the former governor for what it described as a troubling attempt to politicise a sensitive national security issue:
“Weaponising security matters for political grandstanding falls far below the standard expected of a former leader,” the statement said.
The government insisted that Governor Uba Sani has never authorised or engaged in any form of payment to criminal groups.
Reaffirming the administration’s stance, the Commissioner said Governor Sani has repeatedly declared through interviews, press briefings, and stakeholder engagements—that the state government has never paid ransom or protection money to bandits.
The statement also recalled that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) previously dismissed similar allegations made by El-Rufai, describing them as inconsistent with Nigeria’s national security protocols. According to ONSA, neither the Federal Government nor state governments engage in ransom payments to criminal elements.
The government highlighted that its security approach is community-centered, focusing on collaboration with legitimate community leaders, enhanced military operations, and expanding access to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for residents.
“The state engages communities, not bandits,” the statement emphasised.
Grassroots groups like the Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance from an area that suffered severe attacks during El-Rufai’s administration also refuted his claims, calling them misleading and untrue.
The statement further noted that several senior officials who served under El-Rufai had, in the past, accused him of using state funds to appease certain groups. This, the government said, makes his new allegations against the Sani administration “deeply paradoxical.”
Since taking office, Governor Sani has focused on reopening schools, markets, farmlands, stabilising vulnerable communities, and rebuilding social trust across the state. The government urged former officials to act responsibly and support ongoing peace efforts.
In its final position, the Kaduna State Government challenged El-Rufai to present bank statements, internal communications, security documents, or any credible proof of the alleged ₦1bn payment.
It also recalled that El-Rufai made a similar accusation in September 2025 but failed to provide evidence then as well.
The government maintained that unless the former governor produces verifiable proof within one week, it will move forward with legal proceedings.
