Group denounce “baseless” N1bn bandit payment claim by El-Rufai

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A group under the auspices of Concerned Kaduna Citizens held a press briefing yesterday to address recent allegations made by former Governor Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. He claimed that the current administration, led by His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, CON, had made a payment of N1 billion to bandits during an interview aired on Channels Television.
In a statement read to journalists by the convener of the group, Abdulrashid Teslim, they described the allegation as “false and misleading,” asserting that it appears to be politically motivated and intended to tarnish the reputation of the current administration.
They stated, “We wish to categorically and unequivocally clarify that no such payment was made by the Kaduna State Government to any criminal elements.”
The citizens’ group emphasized that the current administration is committed to the rule of law, responsible governance, and transparency.
They noted, “The issue of security deserves seriousness and collaboration—not sensationalism or the spread of unverified and damaging claims.”
The group characterized El-Rufai’s remarks as “a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and sow distrust in the government’s efforts to address insecurity.”
They called for restraint from the former governor, expressing that, as a former leader, he should offer support, wisdom, and statesmanship rather than engage in reckless political outbursts.
The briefing highlighted the successes of the *Uba Sani* administration in addressing insecurity through community-based peacebuilding, intelligence-driven operations, and socio-economic interventions.