Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, is facing serious allegations of sponsoring terrorism during his time as governor of Zamfara State. He is accused of providing vehicles to bandit leaders, including notorious kingpin Bello Turji, which has drawn widespread criticism. The current Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has urged Matawalle to resign and face the charges, citing reports that the former governor was involved in harboring terrorists at the government house and paying ransom to facilitate their activities.
Governor Lawal, speaking on national television, accused Matawalle of being deeply involved in the banditry that has plagued Zamfara for years. He revealed that an investigation into the misappropriation of N70 billion in state funds was ongoing and expressed frustration that Matawalle had not been held accountable. Lawal questioned how Matawalle was cleared to become a minister, given the serious allegations against him, and called on the EFCC to act swiftly on the case.
The accusations are not new. In 2022, while serving as governor, Matawalle was similarly accused by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring banditry. An Islamic cleric, Bello Asada, also alleged that Matawalle provided vehicles to terrorist leaders, claiming he distributed about 34 vehicles, including brand new Hilux trucks, to bandit commanders. These claims have fueled suspicions and calls for an in-depth investigation into Matawalle’s ties to bandits.
Matawalle’s defense team, however, has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. An aide to the minister, Dr. Suleiman Shuaib, called the claims baseless, stating that Matawalle’s engagement with bandits during his governorship was part of a government-approved peace initiative to curb violence in the state. He argued that Matawalle took necessary steps to restore security in Zamfara and should not be persecuted for his efforts.
Despite these defenses, the controversy continues to spark debates on the government’s handling of insecurity in Zamfara. Analysts and security experts have highlighted the urgent need for clarity and transparency regarding Matawalle’s alleged involvement in banditry. There is growing pressure on the federal government to investigate the accusations thoroughly, especially given the sensitive nature of his current role as Minister of State for Defence.
