BELLO MATAWALLE SHOULD STEP DOWN OR BE SUSPENDED IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOR FAIR AND PROPER INVESTIGATION:

By Hamza N. Dantani Esq
Constitutional Lawyer and Rights Activist .

INTRODUCTION
Northern Nigeria continues to bleed from the scourge of banditry and terrorism. Communities are destroyed, livelihoods lost, and lives cut short. As a lawyer and human rights activist from the Northern part of the country, I have watched with deep concern this persistent insecurity that continues to devastate our region.

Against this grim background, the controversy surrounding the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, cannot be ignored, dismissed, or swept under the carpet. The allegations deserve urgent and sober national attention.

From his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, Matawalle has been persistently accused of enabling or fraternising with bandits. These allegations were never conclusively investigated before he was appointed Minister of State for Defence under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That decision raised legitimate concerns, given the sensitivity of the office and the gravity of the accusations.

Regrettably, the allegations have not abated. Instead, they have intensified, even as banditry and terrorism continue to ravage Zamfara State and large parts of Northern Nigeria.

CLERICAL WHISTLEBLOWING AND GRAVE ALLEGATIONS
One of the most persistent voices drawing national attention to these allegations is Sheikh Murtala Asada, a cleric based in Sokoto State. The Sheikh has consistently alleged that Bello Matawalle maintained close ties with bandits while serving as governor, accusing him of colluding with, appeasing, and materially supporting armed groups responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, and displacement.

According to Sheikh Asada, Bello Matawalle allegedly distributed vehicles to bandits using public funds during his tenure as governor. He further alleged that Matawalle purchased a house for Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader designated as a terrorist, in Pakai, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. If true, this would amount to financing terrorism, an offence under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The Sheikh also alleged that Matawalle facilitated the release of a known bandit, Haru Dole, by dispatching his aide, Dr. Bashir Maru, to stand as surety at the Police- FIB office in Abuja, Such conduct, if established, would fall under support for a terrorist group, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Additionally, Matawalle was alleged to have officially distributed 2,000 bags of chaffs to bandits across fourteen local government areas in Zamfara State, an act that, at the very least, raises troubling questions about state policy and moral judgment in dealing with criminal elements.

Instead of publicly addressing these weighty allegations and submitting himself to scrutiny, Bello Matawalle chose to file a defamation suit against Sheikh Murtala Asada, a move widely perceived as an attempt to silence the Sheikh myrtala Asada rather than transparently clear his name. The Sheikh, however, is not alone.

INSIDER TESTIMONY BY MATAWALLE’S FORMER AIDE
More recently, a former aide to Matawalle, Musa Kamarawa, who identified himself as a Senior Special Assistant (SSA)during Matawalle’s governorship, made even graver allegations. He claimed that the minister “has police officers working for him who kill whomever he orders and spare whomever he chooses.”

Kamarawa further alleged that Matawalle colluded with security operatives to eliminate perceived enemies, protect allies, and facilitate dealings with notorious bandit leaders during his tenure as governor. In what amounts to one of the most damning aspects of his claims, Kamarawa corroborated Sheikh’s allegations and said the government of Zamfara State under Matawalle bought vehicles for Bello Turji, Halilu Sububu, and other bandits. He described it as part of the government’s “engagement strategy” at the time.

He further claimed that he personally facilitated the procurement of another Hilux vehicle for the bandit leader, adding that criminal gangs operated with impunity during that period. Kamarawa went on to challenge Matawalle to deny the allegations under oath publicly.

These are not allegations coming from political opponents alone, but from someone who claims to have had access to the inner workings of government; someone with much to lose by speaking out. Numerous citizens of Zamfara State have echoed similar concerns over the years.

Surely, it defies logic to assume that clerics, former aides, community members, and civil society voices are all engaged in a coordinated attempt to tarnish one man’s image without cause. As the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire.

BELLO TURJI, A DESIGNATED TERRORIST, DEFENDS MATAWALLE
Perhaps most disturbing is that Bello Turji himself, a known bandit kingpin, reportedly issued a public statement defending Bello Matawalle after earlier releasing a video that appeared to establish a relationship between them.

This raises a fundamental question that Nigerians deserve an answer to: Why would a government official, let alone a defence minister, have any form of relationship with a terrorist?

INSECURITY AS A HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS
The ramifications of insecurity in Northern Nigeria cannot be overstated. It is not merely a security issue; it is a human rights catastrophe. It has led to the loss of countless lives, mass displacement, collapsed local economies, food insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and the erosion of trust in state institutions.
As a human rights activist, I find this situation unacceptable.

THE CASE FOR SUSPENSION PENDING INVESTIGATION
This article does not assert that Bello Matawalle is guilty of all the allegations raised against him. He remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pursuant to section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). However, the allegations against him are grave, numerous, persistent, and increasingly corroborated by insiders. They are too serious to be ignored and too dangerous to be left uninvestigated. They warrant an independent, transparent investigation.

In the interest of national security, public confidence, and institutional integrity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should immediately suspend Bello Matawalle, or Bello Matawalles should do the honourable thing and step aside, pending the outcome of an independent investigation into these weighty allegations.

Such a suspension would not amount to a conviction. On the contrary, it would be in Matawalle’s own interest, allowing him to clear his name without the burden of office, while reassuring Nigerians that this administration is genuinely committed to tackling insecurity.

Today, many Nigerians believe that the government is merely paying lip service to the fight against insecurity. And who can blame them? You cannot convincingly wage a war against terrorism while retaining a defence minister under serious allegations of collusion with terrorists.

NOT POLITICS, BUT NATIONAL SURVIVAL
This is not a political attack, nor a sponsored campaign. It is not personal. It is a national security and human rights issue that affects us all. Rather than deploying social media influencers and TikTok defenders, Bello Matawalle should subject himself to lawful scrutiny and public accountability.

If the President, who has sworn an oath to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, fails to act, then a direct criminal complaint will be filed, inviting the court to compel a proper investigation into these allegations.
Nigeria’s security crisis demands courage, transparency, and accountability. Anything less is a betrayal of the victims whose voices have been permanently silenced by banditry and terrorism.

BELLO MATAWALLE SHOULD STEP DOWN OR BE SUSPENDED IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOR FAIR AND PROPER INVESTIGATION:

Plateau militia abduct 12 Islamic faithful en route to Maulud prayers

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected Plateau militia have abducted 12 Islamic faithful travelling to Gaji village in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area for Maulud prayers, heightening fears over persistent attacks on travellers in the state.

Zagazola Makama report that the abduction was reported on Dec. 22 by a resident of Zak village in Wase LGA, who said the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 21.

According to the account, the victims were travelling in a vehicle to attend Maulud prayers when armed men intercepted them at the Bunyun axis of Wase LGA and took them to an unknown destination.

The scene of the incident was later visited by security operatives, while efforts were intensified to locate the abducted persons and identify those responsible.

The latest incident has revived painful memories of previous attacks on travellers in Plateau State, particularly the June 2025 massacre in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 travellers from Basawa in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State were brutally killed by a mob.

In that incident, an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, conveying 31 passengers to a wedding ceremony, was attacked around 8:00 p.m., leaving 12 persons dead on the spot and 11 others injured.

The attack drew widespread condemnation, with calls on authorities to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice but nothing has been heard of the case while other report suggest that the perpetrators had been granted bail by the court.

Similarly, in August 2021, no fewer than 22 travellers returning from the commemoration of the Islamic New Year in Bauchi State were killed in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, underscoring a troubling pattern of violence against commuters.

The latest abduction has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Plateau, particularly along inter-community and inter-state travel routes.

The incident comes barely six months after a deadly attack on travellers in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 persons from Basawa in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State were killed by a mob while travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The recurring pattern of attacks on travellers especially muslim faithful reflect a dangerous and unacceptable dimension of Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the targeting of innocent commuters along transit corridors.

Such attacks demonstrate utter disregard for the sanctity of life and the right of citizens to move freely without fear.

Meanwhile, Police said investigations were ongoing, assuring residents that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons.

“Upon receipt of the report, a team of police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar visited the scene of the incident, while efforts were intensified to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,”said the sources.

Plateau militia abduct 12 Islamic faithful en route to Maulud prayers

Police rescue 19 abducted passengers in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

The Benue Police has rescued 19 passengers abducted by suspected armed bandits along the Ohimini–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in the early hours of Dec. 22, when gunmen blocked two commercial vehicles at Mechanic Village, along the Ohimini–Otukpo axis, and abducted the occupants into the bush.

The sources said that at about 2:00 a.m., following reports that a Toyota Hiace bus was attacked while travelling from Oju to Ibadan with nine passengers on board.

Also attacked was a Toyota Hummer bus with belonging to Plateau Ridders Company, driven by one Igoche John of Jos, Plateau State, en route from Jos to Bayelsa State with 11 passengers.

Upon receiving the report, the Police swiftly mobilised patrol teams and other tactical units within the axis and swiftly moved to the scene, where surrounding bushes were combed.

The heavy presence of police operatives forced the bandits to abandon the victims and flee, leading to the rescue of 19 passengers unhurt and without payment of ransom.

The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed and allowed to continue their journeys. However, one passenger, identified as Boniface Ndukwe of Jos, Plateau State, is still believed to be in captivity.

Police said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and secure the rescue of the remaining victim.

Police rescue 19 abducted passengers in Benue