In a startling revelation, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has publicly accused Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle, of being involved in the banditry crisis plaguing northern Nigeria. Lawal made the explosive claim during an appearance on TVC’s Politics Tonight program, citing credible sources pointing to Matawalle’s alleged role.
“From all the information we’re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry issue,” Lawal stated, adding fuel to the already raging controversy surrounding the activities of bandits in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states.
This is not the first time Matawalle, who served as governor of Zamfara before being appointed Defence Minister, has faced such allegations. In July, notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji had also accused Matawalle of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria’s North West region. Despite Matawalle’s firm denials through his media consultant, Deyemi Saka, who dismissed the accusations as baseless, Turji has maintained his position.
The situation in northern Nigeria continues to escalate, with banditry causing untold suffering and insecurity across the region. Lawal’s claims bring further attention to the complex and dangerous dynamics of the crisis, raising concerns over possible links between political figures and the ongoing violence. As the accusations mount, the call for a thorough investigation into the matter grows stronger, putting even more pressure on the Nigerian government to address the issue.
Peoplesmind
