News
Presidency Dismisses Claims On Recent Cabinet Reshuffle
Presidency Dismisses Claims On Recent Cabinet Reshuffle
By: Our Reporter
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has clarified reasons the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle was not dismissed in the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Speaking during an interview on a national TV station, Mr Onanuga said that allegations against the Minister were thoroughly investigated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and found to be baseless.
According to Mr Onanuga, the NSA’s investigation concluded that the allegations against Matawalle were “mere fabrications”.
He said, “As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations.
“In one of them, I got something like that and sent it to the NSA and asked: ‘Have you heard about this?’ The NSA said: ‘No. We have probed a lot of those things; they are not true.’” Mr Onanuga added.
The Presidential aide also provided insights into the rationale behind the reshuffle, explaining that public perception played a crucial role.
“People are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations. That is why the man (Matawalle) is still in the cabinet. The president, I’m sure, has heard many stories about him.
For him to be there shows that, as I have said, some of those things have been probed. They are not true.”
He applauded Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, for implementing a system that allowed Nigerians to assess the ministers’ performances.
“It wasn’t done arbitrarily Hadiza Bala Usman brought in technology, asking Nigerians to rate the ministers.
So, the removal of these ministers was based on empirical facts, shaped by the public’s perception. The scorecards were filled out by the people, and the President acted on those results.”
He added that the reshuffle was not solely about meeting the President’s expectations but also addressing the concerns of the public.
“A few weeks ago, during a cabinet meeting, the President urged the ministers to inform Nigerians of their accomplishments, because, according to him, there was a public perception that the government wasn’t performing,” he said.
Mr Onanuga also hinted at more efforts of the President to reduce the cost of governance.
“The President will soon announce measures to reduce government expenditure, starting with the ministers.
I don’t want to pre-empt the details, but the cuts will be significant to demonstrate the government’s seriousness in reducing the cost of governance.”
The Special Adviser to the President added that President Tinubu is fully aware of specific requirements to address the country’s challenges.
“The government is aware of what’s required to address the country’s challenges. It’s not about the size of the government, but about having many competent hands to drive its agenda.”
It would be recalled that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who is also a former governor of Zamfara State, has faced accusations of having links to bandit groups.
Presidency Dismisses Claims On Recent Cabinet Reshuffle
News
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Two soldiers of the 135 Special Forces Battalion are currently under investigation for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, Zagazola Makama has learnt.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the soldiers’ telephone communications were tracked by Security Intelligence, linking them to the recent kidnapping of commuters along the Gashua–Azare highway in Yobe State.
The intercepted calls reportedly indicated that the suspects likely leaked the movement of a patrol team along the Buratai–Kamuya–Azare–Gashua route to the insurgents, enabling the ambush.
It was gathered that the suspected leak contributed to the terrorists’ operation, which was later foiled by troops of the 135 SF Battalion during a swift rescue mission on May 9
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
Troops rescue four kidnapped commuters in Yobe, foil ISWAP terrorist ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV have rescued four kidnapped civilians from ISWAP terrorists following a swift counter-offensive along the Gashua–Azare highway in Yobe State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama on Saturday that the operation was carried out at about 6:10 p.m. on Friday, May 9, after intelligence reports indicated that insurgents had abducted travelers while riding on 15 motorcycles.
Quick Response Forces (QRF) from the battalion, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of gunfire.
“The troops overpowered the terrorists, forcing them to retreat in disarray and abandon one motorcycle,” the source said.
The soldiers pursued the insurgents up to 6 kilometers from the ambush point, leading to the successful rescue of four abducted civilians. Items recovered from the scene included a pumping machine, a motorcycle tube, a plier, and three spanners.
Troops rescue four kidnapped commuters in Yobe, foil ISWAP terrorist ambush
Zulum orders immediate ban on the sale of fuel in Bama LGA
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered an immediate ban on the sale of fuel (petrol) in filling stations across Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and Banki.
The ban was issued after due consultations with security agencies in the state and is aimed at addressing the prevailing security challenges in the state.
In a statement on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, the measure is part of the state government’s strategic response to counter insurgency operations.
“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area with immediate effect,” Governor Zulum stated.
He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full weight of the law.
“Let me make it clear—there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban. Security agencies have been given strict orders to clamp down on any filling station or individual contravening this directive. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.
Governor Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state and called for the support and cooperation of citizens in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
Zulum orders immediate ban on the sale of fuel in Bama LGA
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
Troops rescue four kidnapped commuters in Yobe, foil ISWAP terrorist ambush
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