Ex-Insider Reveals: How El-Rufai’s Alleged Payments To Bandits Fueled Kaduna’s Security Crisis

Ben Kure, a former political adviser to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the former governor used taxpayers’ money to pay bandits during his tenure.

Kure, now Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation under Governor Uba Sani, claimed the payments were intended to stop bandits from committing crimes, but instead worsened insecurity in the state by over 100 percent. He made the revelation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

“Back in December 2016, Governor El-Rufai arrogantly stated that he had to pay herdsmen to prevent them from causing mayhem or taking lives. The result? Insecurity skyrocketed, with untold loss of lives,” Kure said. “People were living in fear, unable to sleep, farm, or earn a legitimate living to support their families.”

Kure contrasted this approach with the current strategies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Governor Uba Sani, which he said avoid direct payments to bandits. Instead, the present approach prioritizes dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local stakeholders to reduce violence.

“The government engages in dialogue, appealing to the conscience of those involved in criminal activities. By working with community and religious leaders, they have helped some participants understand the value of life and the importance of peace for progress and development,” he explained.

His remarks came a day after El-Rufai accused both the federal and Kaduna State governments of “empowering bandits” through ransom payments and food support, dismissively referring to it as a “kiss-the-bandits” policy.