The Kaduna State Government has issued a one-week ultimatum to former governor Nasir El-Rufai to substantiate his allegation that Governor Uba Sani’s administration paid N1 billion to bandits in the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, the government dismissed the claim as “false and politically motivated,” warning that El-Rufai must either provide credible evidence or tender a public apology, failing which legal action would be taken.
El-Rufai had alleged in a recent Channels Television interview that the state government made payments to criminal groups as part of security arrangements. But Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu (SAN), described the remarks as “reckless, baseless and deliberately misleading.”
The government accused the former governor of “weaponising a sensitive security issue for political grandstanding,” stressing that Governor Sani has never authorised or paid money to criminal elements. “Not one naira. Not one kobo,” Shu’aibu said.
The statement noted that the Office of the National Security Adviser had previously dismissed similar claims by El-Rufai as unfounded, reiterating that neither the Federal Government nor state governments engage in ransom payments.
Kaduna’s administration emphasised its community-focused security approach, which includes enhanced military operations, collaboration with legitimate community leaders, and expanded access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. “The state engages communities, not bandits,” it said.
The government also pointed to past allegations from El-Rufai’s own former aides that he used public funds to appease certain groups, describing his current claims as “deeply paradoxical.”
“Since assuming office, Governor Sani has focused on stabilising vulnerable communities, reopening schools, markets, and farmlands, and rebuilding trust among previously fractured groups,” the statement added, urging former officials to support peacebuilding efforts rather than undermine them.
El-Rufai was challenged to produce verifiable evidence such as bank records, internal memos, or security documents, with officials noting that similar allegations he made in September 2025 lacked proof.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and responsible governance, the Kaduna State Government said it would not be distracted by “the politics of bitterness, fear mongering, or orchestrated falsehoods.”
