I haven’t given one naira to any bandit, but I have provided shelter and support to victims – Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has asserted that no one can claim to fight for justice or defend the poor while funding or negotiating with bandits.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time, Sani emphasized that his administration prioritizes supporting victims of violence rather than rewarding perpetrators.

He noted that insecurity in the North-West is driven mainly by economic hardship, unlike the ideological motivations behind Boko Haram’s insurgency in the North-East.

Dismissing allegations that he intended to pay off bandits, the governor described such claims as baseless and against his principles.

“When dealing with security, we must first analyse the root causes and drivers of the crisis. While Boko Haram is clearly ideological, the North-West insurgency is largely economic,” he said. “When I assumed office, people accused me of planning to pay bandits. But I made it clear—a man who has always fought for justice and the downtrodden cannot sit with bandits and pay them.”

Sani revealed that his government has instead invested in rehabilitation efforts for victims of violence.

“Just two weeks ago, I launched a programme where we handed over newly built homes to victims of insurgency,” he added. “I haven’t given one naira to any bandit. But I have provided shelter and support to those they’ve harmed.”