Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, has called for an urgent investigation into former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai following his shocking allegations that the Federal Government is secretly funding bandit groups.
Speaking in response to El-Rufai’s comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today Baba-Ahmed insisted that the former governor must be formally interrogated by law enforcement and face judicial scrutiny. He said the seriousness of the claims demands nothing less.
“This is not a matter for public commentary alone. These are grave allegations that must be investigated by the police and prosecuted in court if necessary,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
El-Rufai had alleged that the current administration is running a “kiss-the-bandits policy,” whereby armed groups receive monthly stipends and food supplies as part of a so-called non-kinetic security strategy.
He claimed the policy is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, and bluntly declared that “the only repentant bandit is a dead one.”
His remarks, widely circulated on social media, have reignited fierce national debate over Nigeria’s strategy to combat insecurity, particularly in the North.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, swiftly rejected El-Rufai’s claims, labeling them “false and dangerous.”
It reaffirmed that its policy does not involve paying criminals, but instead focuses on bringing offenders to justice and rehabilitating those who surrender.
But Baba-Ahmed believes El-Rufai’s revelations cannot be brushed aside.
“When a former governor with privileged access to intelligence makes such weighty accusations, the institutions of law must step in. This is not just about politics, it is about national security and public trust,” he argued.
The development adds a new dimension to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with terrorism and banditry. While some officials advocate a blend of force and negotiation, others, like El-Rufai, insist appeasement only emboldens violent groups.
Baba-Ahmed’s call marks a significant political moment, pushing the conversation from television studios into the realm of legal accountability. As public outrage simmers, Nigerians are demanding not just security, but truth, transparency, and justice.
