Terrorism: Ex-Kaduna Gov, El-Rufai, lays strong allegations against NSA Ribadu

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Former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai has accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of spending billions of naira through his office to feed and pay armed terrorists and bandits in the name of coordinating a non-kinetic security strategy.

In a video interview that has been spreading on social media platforms since Monday, El-Rufai slammed Ribadu for fooling Nigerians by orchestrating the delivery of large sums of money to terrorists via the non-kinetic ruse.

In the video, the former Kaduna governor alleged that the NSA authorized a payment of N1 billion to terrorists to guarantee the return of abducted students, in addition to providing food supplies and even salaries as incentives, Nigerians were told that no pay was made for the students’ release.

“They are empowering terrorists; it’s a national policy driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser,” El-Rufai stated.

“What I will not do is pay terrorists, give them a monthly allowance, or send food to them in the name of non-kinetic.

“It’s nonsense; we’re empowering terrorists… Kiss the terrorists; that’s the new policy.”

Despite confronting grave terrorism difficulties in Kaduna, the former governor declared that during his administration, he resisted similar inducements.

El-Rufai’s charges originally surfaced in late August 2025 during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, but Ribadu quickly condemned them as “false, baseless, and deeply insulting” to Nigerian security personnel.

Ribadu’s office highlighted in a statement issued by Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication at ONSA, that no ransom payments or inducements have ever been made under this administration.

“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom,” the statement read.

The NSA had highlighted military victories, such as the removal of known terrorist commanders in Kaduna and the rescue of hostages, while emphasizing that these operations came “at a cost,” with heroic officers paying the ultimate price.

However, El-Rufai struck back, accusing the ONSA of politicizing national security and failing to confront verified evidence.

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