Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has refuted accusations of supporting banditry and challenged his accusers to present evidence to back their claims.
Speaking during a television interview on Tuesday, Matawalle defended his approach of engaging in dialogue with bandits. He explained that this strategy, which had the backing of several governors, resulted in the recovery of kidnapped individuals and weapons in Zamfara State.
He emphasized that the dialogue was part of efforts to address the complex security challenges in the region and called for a more nuanced understanding of the situation instead of unfounded allegations.
”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 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.
”I am the only governor that has sworn by the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connections with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening” -Minister of State For Defence
The minister addressed allegations that he had aided and abetted banditry. When asked about these claims, Matawalle strongly refuted them, challenging his accusers to present any evidence.
He also argued that his fearlessness in tackling criminal elements in Zamfara has made him unpopular among those engaged in criminal activities.
“The people who oppose me do so because I go after them,” he remarked
When asked if these individuals were politicians. He said in the affirmation, “Yes, they are politicians, and I go after them.”
“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 oat that means they are part of it,”
“The dialogue brought significant success,” Matawalle asserted, citing the recovery of weapons and the release of thousands of abducted individuals, including some foreign nationals.
Drawing comparisons to the path of negotiations with bandits taken by President Buhari, in his efforts to secure the release of the Chibok girls, Matawalle said, “This is a global practice; governments across the world enter into agreements to save lives,” he added.
Matawalle also condemned what he described as attempts to blackmail him for his efforts. “People are spreading misconceptions out of hate, but I have no regrets because we achieved a lot of success without paying a single kobo in ransom.”
