Kaduna govt threatens legal action as El-Rufai gets deadline over ₦1bn payment to bandits’ claim

The Kaduna State Government has rejected as untrue the allegation by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that Governor Uba Sani’s administration paid ₦1 billion to bandits.

In a statement released on Sunday, officials issued a seven-day deadline for the former governor to provide evidence backing his claim or publicly withdraw it, warning that refusal to do so would prompt legal action.

It was reported that El-Rufai, during an appearance on Channels Television, alleged that the state had made payments to bandits as part of its security dealings.

Responding on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), described the allegation as “reckless, baseless and deliberately misleading.”

The statement accused the former governor of “recklessly weaponising a sensitive security issue for political grandstanding,” arguing that the conduct falls short of what is expected from a one-time state leader.

As a result, the government demanded that El-Rufai “retract his statement and issue an unreserved apology within one week,” adding that failure would force the state to initiate legal steps “to safeguard public order and institutional integrity.”

Officials restated that Governor Sani has never approved, negotiated, or disbursed any funds to criminal actors. According to the Commissioner, the governor has emphasised this point repeatedly in media engagements, insisting: “Not one naira. Not one kobo.”

The statement also recalled that the Office of the National Security Adviser had previously dismissed similar assertions by El-Rufai as inconsistent with national security protocols, saying neither the Federal Government nor states pay ransoms or fund criminal networks.

Outlining its security approach, the government said the current administration is pursuing a community-centred strategy built on stronger military collaboration, deeper engagement with legitimate local leaders, and expanded access to education, healthcare, and economic support. “The state engages communities, not bandits,” it noted.

Grassroots organisations, including the Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance—which dealt with severe security challenges during El-Rufai’s time in office—have also rejected his claims, calling them misleading and inaccurate.

The government further referenced previous allegations made by senior members of El-Rufai’s administration accusing him of using public funds to placate certain groups, describing his recent assertions as “deeply paradoxical.”

Challenging El-Rufai to present any verifiable proof—including bank records, memos or security documents—the statement pointed out that similar allegations he made in September 2025 were never substantiated.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and responsible security management, the government said it would not be derailed by “the politics of bitterness, fear-mongering or orchestrated falsehoods.”