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 administration.
Kure, now the Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation under Governor Uba Sani, made this shocking claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to him, El-Rufai’s strategy of paying bandits not to wreak havoc backfired, worsening insecurity by over 100%.
“In December 2016, Governor Nasir El-Rufai openly admitted that he paid herdsmen so they would no longer kill or cause mayhem. The result? Insecurity aggravated by more than a hundred percent,” Kure said.
He added that the approach led to fear, loss of lives, and displacement, as residents could not sleep peacefully, work their farms, or sustain their families.
Contrasting El-Rufai’s strategy, Kure praised the current administration under President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for refusing to fund bandits. Instead, he explained, the new government is focusing on dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and stakeholders to de-escalate violence.
“The government is engaging bandits through dialogue, appealing to their emotions, and helping them understand the value of life. This approach fosters peace and development,” he added.
Kure’s revelation comes just 24 hours after El-Rufai himself accused the federal and Kaduna State governments of “empowering bandits” through ransom payments and food supplies, which he described as a “kiss-the-bandits” policy.
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