‘I Haven’t Paid Any Bàndit One Naira’ — Kaduna Gov Uba Sani Spills

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has categorically denied paying any form of ransom or compensation to bandits in exchange for peace in the state.

Speaking during an interview with Arise Television, the governor stated clearly that his administration “has not given one naira” to any bandit.

He noted that the recent surrender of arms by some insurgents in Birnin Gwari was achieved purely through sustained dialogue and strategic engagement with community leaders and security agencies.

Governor Sani explained that the peace efforts involved nearly six months of coordinated efforts, where religious leaders, traditional rulers, and security operatives played key roles in persuading the bandits to lay down their arms.

“The success in Birnin Gwari was not transactional. It was the result of patience, trust-building, and consistent messaging that violence would not yield lasting benefit,” he said during the broadcast.

He also highlighted that his administration, rather than reward criminality, has chosen to uplift victims — including the recent allocation of newly built houses under the Qatar Sanabil Project to widows, orphans, and displaced persons affected by banditry.

He further emphasized that the state government is committed to a policy of zero tolerance for rewarding criminality, adding that those who voluntarily surrender are being carefully reintegrated into society through monitored, non-financial support.

His comments come amid growing scrutiny of similar peace efforts in other states, such as Zamfara, where alleged ransom deals have raised public concern.