‘Mattawalle not sponsoring banditry in Zamfara’

Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, is not responsible for the sponsorship of banditry in his state and by extension, the North West geopolitical region. A Policy Affairs analyst and PR Consultant, Mr Deyemi Saka, said this in a statement, on Friday. He took a swipe at those calling for the removal of […]

Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, is not responsible for the sponsorship of banditry in his state and by extension, the North West geopolitical region.

A Policy Affairs analyst and PR Consultant, Mr Deyemi Saka, said this in a statement, on Friday.

He took a swipe at those calling for the removal of the minister whom he said has performed so well in office.

He, however, attributed it to the perception created about Matawalle in the media, adding that the Minister is committed to the safety and wellbeing of his people and Nigerians.

The statement reads: “I am not surprised at the campaign against Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle and call for his removal from office as the Honourable Minister of State for Defence citing complicity and sponsorship of banditry in his state and by extension, the North West geopolitical region. The reason is obvious; Perception. The perception created about him in the media.

“I’ve known Dr. Bello Matawalle for a while and this formed my decision to go spend some time with him in 2022 during the Sallah festive period while he was still in office as Governor of Zamfara State. During the visit, I had a private conversation with him which revolves around banditry and how to find a lasting solution to it.

“At first hand, I saw his limitations as a Governor and also saw his commitment and presence of mind in looking for other solutions.
“What many promote today as proof(s) of his alliance with bandits was a collective decision of all stakeholders in the state to come up with a sort of amnesty program for willing bandits and criminal elements to drop their arms and take another shot at decency and life. This policy had the buy-in of religious leaders, traditional leaders, political leaders and heads of security agencies within the state.

“It is on record that this policy brought about recovery of arms and ammunition which were handed over to relevant security agencies.
“It is also on record that when the bandits and their leaders reneged on terms of the programme, it was called off by Bello Matawalle without any delay.”