In a separate response on Monday night, El-Rufai accused both ONSA and the Kaduna Government of politicising national security and diverting attention from the core issues he raised.
In a three-part statement on X, he described their reactions as “predictable hot air,” adding: “Instead of responding to the core issues I raised, they seek to deflect responsibility by alleging that exposing them amounts to politicizing security.”
El-Rufai accused ONSA of mismanaging the fight against terrorism, claiming the agency had turned into “the face of the politicization of national security.”
He said: “The attempt at denial falls flat as many citizens in the affected states have been following the counter-replies by community leaders and clerics. We spoke the minds of distressed communities across Nigeria who are victims of banditry and terrorism… This charade by ONSA is being done gleefully at a steep cost to the finances of the country and the ethical fabric of our society.”
The former governor questioned negotiations with bandits, asking: “Why is a non-kinetic approach to addressing banditry and criminality equal to withdrawals of huge amounts of money from state treasuries and handing them over to bandits and terrorists?”
On security reports, he accused Kaduna State of presenting a “whitewashed version,” insisting that under his tenure the government published detailed updates.
He further alleged that a foreign aid initiative was misrepresented as a housing project for victims of banditry, calling it a “politically motivated media spectacle.”
He concluded by urging both ONSA and the Kaduna Government to focus on real security challenges.
“National security is a very serious matter… It is unpatriotic to disguise incompetence in understanding it, much less managing it, as media stunts,” he said, “Tell no lies, claim no easy victories.”
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