The 2023 Labour Party vice‑presidential candidate, Datti Baba‑Ahmed, has called for former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai to be questioned over his claim that the federal government was paying bandits. Baba‑Ahmed made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme *Politics Today* on Tuesday.
El‑Rufai had alleged that the federal government and Kaduna State were providing a monthly allowance and food to bandits under the guise of non‑kinetic measures, describing the approach as a “kiss‑the‑bandits” policy. The National Security Adviser’s office, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, issued a rebuttal to El‑Rufai’s comment. Baba‑Ahmed dismissed the rebuttal, arguing that if the adviser’s office was taking El‑Rufai’s statement lightly, Ribadu was unfit for his position. He said El‑Rufai should submit statements to the police and the courts rather than making public accusations.
The allegation is significant because it touches on the Nigerian government’s strategy for tackling banditry and insecurity. The use of non‑kinetic measures such as dialogue and financial incentives has been debated by policymakers and security experts. Baba‑Ahmed’s demand for El‑Rufai to be questioned suggests a need for further investigation. This development underscores the complexities of addressing insecurity in Nigeria, where various approaches are employed to combat banditry and other forms of violence. As the country continues to grapple with these challenges, El‑Rufai’s claim and Baba‑Ahmed’s response will likely be scrutinized by stakeholders and the public, and further clarification may be required to determine the next steps.
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