El-Rufai had sparked controversy after alleging that the ONSA, under the leadership of Malam Nuhu Ribadu, was engaged in coordinating ransom payments and offering inducements to bandits and terrorists as part of what he described as a flawed “non-kinetic” strategy in the fight against insecurity.
In response, the Executive Director of the NCSCN, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu, addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, condemned what he described as a baseless and reckless attack on Nigeria’s national security framework.
According to Akinlosotu, El-Rufai has 72 hours to provide verifiable proof of his claims or tender a formal apology to both the National Security Adviser and the broader security establishment. Failure to do so, Akinlosotu warned, would result in El-Rufai being blacklisted by the civil society organisation.
“The public allegations made by El-Rufai, without authoritative facts and figures to back his claims, is most unfortunate and unexpected from a high-profile leader of his calibre,” Akinlosotu said. “His utterances were too unguarded, highly volatile, and very vindictive, sounding more like that of a political detractor bent on mischief and blackmail.”
He added that the NCSCN, in line with international norms, firmly opposes any formof negotiation with terrorists or payment of ransoms. However, the organisation supports the adoption of non-kinetic strategies as part of a balanced approach to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
“One can never fully understand or feel the pains of victims affected by terrorist attacks or kidnapping until one experiences such devastating nightmare,” Akinlosotu noted.
He continued, “El-Rufai should, in next 72 hours, and as a matter of urgency, responsibility, and responsiveness, come out boldly with evidence and prove to the allegation made against the NSA and the security architecture, or render an unreserved apology. In the case of failure to substantiate his allegations, he will be blacklisted by NCSCN.”
Akinlosotu also used the occasion to call on the Office of the National Security Adviser to improve its collaboration with civil society groups in order to increase transparency and public awareness about its operations.
He proposed the establishment of a dedicated Non-Kinetic Civil Space Engagement Unit within the ONSA, to be led by an experienced civil society activist and supported by liaison officers in all national security institutions.
“Any nation claiming absolute non-negotiation posture or total military force in dealing with terrorism, without any form or case of dialogue and negotiation, is either living in denial or being hypocritical,” Akinlosotu stated. “Nigeria must institutionalise and learn to strategically combine the use of kinetic and non-kinetic methodologies in fighting insecurity in the country.”
The former governor has yet to respond to the NCSCN’s challenge.
