Datti Baba-Ahmed Calls for Probe into El-Rufai’s Claims of FG Paying Bandits

 Labour Party’s Datti Baba-Ahmed has urged the Federal Government to investigate allegations by former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai that it is paying bandits, warning against dismissing the claims lightly.

Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, demanded a thorough investigation into claims by Nasir El-Rufai that the Federal Government is funding bandits. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that the allegations, made during El-Rufai’s appearance on Sunday Politics, cannot be treated with levity due to their implications for national security. El-Rufai, a former Kaduna governor, alleged that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinates payments to criminal groups as part of a “kiss-the-bandits” policy, a claim the ONSA, led by Nuhu Ribadu, dismissed as baseless. Baba-Ahmed, a critic of the ruling APC, argued that El-Rufai’s role as a founding APC member lends weight to his accusations, necessitating a probe to uncover the truth.

El-Rufai’s claims, reiterated on social media, suggested state actors in Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and other northern states are complicit in paying bandits, undermining security efforts. The ONSA countered that its dual strategy of military operations and community engagement has yielded successes, such as eliminating bandit leaders like Boderi and apprehending Ansaru members in Kaduna. Baba-Ahmed, however, highlighted public frustration, echoed in X posts, over persistent insecurity, urging the government to clarify these allegations. The Kaduna State Government also rebuked El-Rufai, accusing him of spreading malicious lies to destabilize the state post-election losses.

The call for a probe has polarized opinions. Some see it as essential for transparency, while others view it as political point-scoring. The controversy tests President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity and maintaining public trust. As Nigeria grapples with banditry, Baba-Ahmed’s demand could push for accountability, potentially reshaping the national security framework and public perception of governance.