(DDM) – Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sparked fresh controversy after alleging that the Federal Government is covertly funding armed bandit groups under the guise of a “non-kinetic security strategy” in parts of northern Nigeria.
El-Rufai made the claims while addressing stakeholders on national security, warning that the practice is worsening violence and eroding public trust in state institutions.
DDM gathered that the former governor alleged cash allowances and food supplies were being provided to non-state actors through back-channel arrangements, supposedly to encourage peace negotiations in crisis-ridden areas.
According to him, this secretive approach has only emboldened the criminal groups, enabling them to expand their operations while draining scarce national resources.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, swiftly dismissed El-Rufai’s accusations, describing them as “false, baseless and unhelpful” to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Ribadu insisted that the government’s security strategy prioritises intelligence gathering, community engagement, and joint operations between the military, police, and other law enforcement agencies.
Despite the denial, El-Rufai maintained his stance, claiming there is evidence to substantiate his allegations, including testimonies from clerics and community leaders in affected states.
He criticised what he described as the politicisation of security, accusing federal officials of concealing operational data and misrepresenting the true nature of counter-insurgency funding.
“This policy of secretly paying violent groups does not bring peace,” El-Rufai warned. “It fuels impunity and prolongs the crisis while civilians suffer.”
Analysts say his remarks are likely to reignite debate over Nigeria’s broader approach to tackling armed groups, particularly as the country grapples with worsening violence across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Security experts caution that if the claims are proven, the implications could be severe – including the possibility that taxpayer funds have indirectly sustained criminal operations.
Human rights groups have also weighed in, urging greater transparency in how government agencies allocate funds for security initiatives.
Meanwhile, political observers believe El-Rufai’s comments could trigger a wider political confrontation, especially as former allies of the administration continue to voice dissent over its handling of national security.
As of press time, no official investigation into the alleged bandit payments has been announced, though calls for an independent inquiry are growing louder among civil society groups.
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