Ribadu Fiercely Accused by El-Rufai of Disastrous Mismanagement of Terrorism and Banditry in the North

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu, of mishandling the fight against terrorism and banditry in northern Nigeria.

El-Rufai criticized ONSA under Ribadu’s leadership, along with a “certain senator,” for what he described as incompetence in addressing the security crisis in the region.

He further alleged that the office, under Ribadu’s watch, has been involved in coordinating ransom payments to bandits.

However, ONSA dismissed such claims, describing them as falsehood.

Responding, El-Rufai, in a lengthy statement, insisted that ONSA under Ribadu politicised security.

His statement on X reads partly: “This is my response to the unfortunate statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the fake, but predictable hot air from Kaduna, following my live television interview on Channels Television last night.

“As usual, the combined voices of the Government of Kaduna State (KDSG) and ONSA, instead of responding to the core issues I raised, seek to deflect responsibility by alleging that exposing them amounts to politicizing security.

“As a person whose three siblings served in the Nigerian Army and the Airforce, with one of them rising to the rank of general, I have and will continue to appreciate and honor the memory of our citizens in uniform who have made sacrifices for Nigeria. I will also continue to appreciate the immense work that continues to be done by gallant officers of the military and security agencies.

“It is a well-known fact to discerning Nigerians that the face of the politicization of national security for politically intended purposes resides, for the first time in our recent history, in the ONSA under its present leadership.

“If the ONSA thinks Nigerians are not following its unclear and incompetent management of terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria and beyond, in collaboration with a certain senator, also from the North, then it is high time it carried out an in-depth evaluation and review of its actions.”