Minister Matawalle Under Fire: Alleged Banditry Sponsorship and the Embattled Tinubu Cabinet

Analysis and IntelligenceMinister Matawalle Under Fire: Alleged Banditry Sponsorship and the Embattled Tinubu Cabinet

The Nigerian political landscape has once again been plunged into chaos, this time revolving around the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and his alleged ties to banditry in the northern part of the country. Formerly the governor of Zamfara State, Matawalle’s past actions are now haunting him as he faces accusations of aiding and abetting terrorism by ethnic militias, particularly referred to as banditry, which has become one of the most persistent security challenges in Nigeria.

The allegations are not new. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Islamic clerics had raised similar concerns during his tenure as governor. However, the current state governor, Dauda Lawal, has reignited these accusations, thrusting Matawalle into the spotlight with renewed vigour. Lawal’s shocking remarks about his predecessor’s involvement with ethnic militia leaders, erroneously labelled as bandits, particularly infamous warlord Bello Turji, have stirred public outcry and political debate.

This saga raises grave questions about the vetting processes of high-level government appointees in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. How could someone with such severe allegations hanging over his head be cleared to serve as the Minister of State for Defence? What does this controversy say about the Tinubu government’s approach to tackling insecurity?

Accusations Against Matawalle: The Alleged Banditry Nexus
Governor Dauda Lawal’s accusations are nothing short of damning. Appearing on TVC, a major Nigerian television network, Lawal openly stated that if he were in Matawalle’s shoes, he would resign to face the avalanche of allegations coming his way. Lawal claimed his predecessor had a long history of involvement with terrorist groups and that his administration’s dealings with ethnic militiamen (bandits) were far from transparent.

Most shockingly, Lawal alleged that terrorists were given shelter in Zamfara’s Government House during Matawalle’s reign and that ransom payments were facilitated through the government. This assertion, if true, would mean that not only was Matawalle a passive bystander, but he actively engaged in activities that emboldened and enabled the so called bandits and prolonged the reign of terror in Zamfara and beyond.

Lawal’s allegations took an even more controversial turn when he revealed that Matawalle had been involved in misappropriating public funds, including a staggering ₦70 billion. Lawal implied that this money could have been channelled to fund bandit operations rather than be used for public development.

The question that has gripped Nigerians is: how did Matawalle, given these grave allegations, ascend to the position of Minister of State for Defence? Was this an oversight, or worse, a reflection of a deeper malaise within the country’s political elite?

A History of Allegations: Recurrent Accusations and Denials
This is not the first time Matawalle has been entangled in accusations of bandit sponsorship. Back in January 2022, while he was governor of Zamfara State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition PDP demanded his resignation over similar allegations. At the time, the PDP accused Matawalle of supplying the ethnic militiamen, called bandits, with material support, including vehicles. This claim was bolstered by testimonies from notable figures, such as Islamic cleric Bello Asada, who explicitly linked the former governor to notorious “bandit” leaders like Bello Turji and others.

Asada’s accusations were particularly explosive, given that he alleged Matawalle had purchased and distributed no fewer than 34 vehicles to “bandit” leaders. These vehicles, brand-new Toyota Hilux trucks, were reportedly given to “bandit” leaders like Turji, Halilu Subububu, Ado Aleru, and others. These criminal masterminds, who have terrorised the region for nearly a decade, were allegedly armed and mobilised with the full backing of the Zamfara State government. Asada questioned why, despite Turji’s open presence on social media and well-documented crimes, he has not been apprehended.

These allegations paint a damning picture of a state government that, far from fighting banditry, may have been complicit in nurturing its rise. If proven, they would be one of the most scandalous examples of corruption and state terrorism sponsorship in Nigeria’s history.

The Amnesty Controversy: Empowering Terrorists or Seeking Peace?
One of the most hotly debated actions taken by Matawalle during his tenure as governor was his controversial amnesty programme for bandits between 2019 and 2023. This programme, according to Matawalle’s supporters, was an attempt to stem the tide of insecurity by offering bandits a way out of their criminal lifestyles. However, critics argue that this move only emboldened criminals, offering them a chance to regroup, re-arm, and continue their reign of terror.

In a video released in July 2024, Turji himself alleged that the amnesty programme was nothing more than a way for some bandits to gain further support from the government. According to Turji, some of his rivals in the bandit (ethnic militia) hierarchy were empowered through the scheme, with the government failing to demand the surrender of weapons in exchange for amnesty. He claimed that certain bandits (militias) used the amnesty as a smokescreen to continue their criminal activities.

Turji’s claims have only deepened public distrust in Matawalle’s legacy as governor. How could a leader charged with the security of his state have allowed such a farce to continue? And why were the promises of peace not followed up with the necessary accountability?

The EFCC’s Silence: Corruption Allegations and a Troubling Lull
Governor Lawal’s most significant allegation concerns the misappropriation of ₦70 billion, funds that were allegedly siphoned during Matawalle’s governorship. According to Lawal, this misappropriation was only the tip of the iceberg. He further accused his predecessor of channelling public funds into financing terrorism and banditry.

The case has been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for over a year, yet no tangible results have been reported. This has led to widespread criticism of the EFCC’s handling of the investigation and has fuelled rumours of political interference shielding Matawalle from facing justice.

Why has the EFCC been silent? Given the scale of the accusations, many Nigerians are questioning whether this investigation is being deliberately stalled. Is Matawalle being protected due to his political connections, particularly with the ruling APC?

Tinubu’s Cabinet Under Scrutiny: Integrity and Judgment in Question
Matawalle’s appointment as the Minister of State for Defence has raised serious questions about President Bola Tinubu’s judgment. How could a man facing such grave accusations, many of which have been in the public domain for years, be trusted with overseeing Nigeria’s defence? The optics are particularly damaging given the national security challenges Nigeria is currently grappling with, from Boko Haram in the northeast to the rise of banditry in the northwest.

Political analysts have been quick to point out that Tinubu’s government, which was supposed to usher in a new era of transparency and integrity, now faces a credibility crisis. Was there any due diligence done before appointing Matawalle? And if so, why were the red flags ignored?

Kabir Adamu, a security expert, has described Matawalle’s appointment as a sign of the “weaponisation of insecurity” in Nigeria. His comments suggest that, far from addressing Nigeria’s security woes, the government may be entrenching them by placing individuals with dubious records in key positions.

Public Outcry: Demands for Resignation and Accountability
Public calls for Matawalle’s resignation have grown louder since Governor Lawal’s explosive interview. Civil society organisations, opposition politicians, and concerned citizens are all demanding that the Minister of State for Defence step down to face the allegations against him.

One of the most vocal critics has been Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Johnson slammed Matawalle’s inclusion in Tinubu’s cabinet, calling it a betrayal of the trust Nigerians placed in the President. He pointed out that the allegations surrounding Matawalle were enough to merit his immediate dismissal, let alone prevent his appointment in the first place.

Johnson’s comments reflect the wider disillusionment many Nigerians feel toward their political leadership. There is a growing sentiment that those in power are more interested in protecting their cronies than in serving the public good. Matawalle’s case, with its mixture of corruption, terrorism, and impunity, has become a symbol of this dysfunction.

Conclusion: A Test for Nigeria’s Democracy
As the allegations against Bello Matawalle continue to swirl, the Nigerian government faces a moment of reckoning. Will the Tinubu administration allow this scandal to fester, or will it take decisive action to restore public trust? Matawalle’s case is not just about one man but about the integrity of Nigeria’s political system, the effectiveness of its security apparatus, and the future of its democracy.

Nigerians are watching closely. How this crisis is resolved will set a precedent for how the country tackles corruption, insecurity, and accountability in the years to come.

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