Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, is facing significant criticism following accusations linking him to terrorist activities in Zamfara State during his tenure as governor. The current Zamfara governor, Dauda Lawal, called for Matawalle’s resignation, alleging his involvement in sponsoring bandits and providing vehicles to notorious leaders like Bello Turji.
Governor Lawal claimed that terrorists were hosted at the government house, and ransom payments were facilitated through the state government. He also raised concerns over the N70 billion misappropriation case involving Matawalle, which remains under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
These accusations are not new, with previous allegations surfacing in 2022, including claims from an Islamic cleric, Bello Asada, who stated that Matawalle had gifted vehicles to bandit leaders.
Matawalle’s aide, Dr. Suleiman Shuaib, dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. He emphasized that Matawalle only engaged with bandits for dialogue in a bid to restore peace but later took a hard stance when the bandits broke their promises.
Security experts, including Kabir Adamu, pointed out the federal government’s inconsistent policies on banditry, while critics, like Ladipo Johnson of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, questioned President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Matawalle to such a sensitive position without addressing these allegations.
Matawalle has yet to publicly respond to the recent accusations.
News Editor