The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has vehemently denied allegations linking him to the sponsorship of bandits in Zamfara State, challenging his accusers to present concrete evidence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
During an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, Matawalle addressed the accusations, asserting that his decision to engage in dialogue with bandits was a strategy aimed at restoring peace in the troubled state. He noted that similar approaches were adopted by other governors across northern Nigeria.
“Let them bring any proof of that,” Matawalle said, dismissing the claims as baseless.
He emphasised that the dialogue had been endorsed by governors in states such as Niger and Sokoto, and led to the recovery of abducted individuals and arms.
“It wasn’t just me who dialogued. The governor of Niger State and the governor of Sokoto did the same. Why am I singled out? Because it is Zamfara,” the minister said.
Matawalle further suggested that those pointing fingers at him might themselves be complicit in the crimes they accuse him of. However, he refrained from naming specific individuals.
”Let me remind you I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening that if I am happy or if I am part of it or if I know those doing it or if I am collaborating with them God should not give me one-second grace”
“I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath that means they are part of it.
“I have always acted in good faith, as have other governors who engaged in dialogue with bandits, including the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Governor of Sokoto State. Yet, I seem to be singled out, perhaps because Zamfara is a complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas,” he stated.
The minister emphasized that his determination to combat criminal elements in Zamfara has made him unpopular among those involved in illegal activities.
“People oppose me because I go after them,” he stated.
When asked if these individuals were politicians, he confirmed, “Yes, they are politicians, and I go after them.”
Matawalle also highlighted the success of dialogue in addressing insecurity, noting the recovery of weapons and the release of thousands of abducted individuals, including foreign nationals.