Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has accused his political opponents of manipulating sensitive national security matters in a bid to smear his reputation and undermine the government’s ongoing reforms.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle lamented what he described as a wave of coordinated and politically motivated attacks targeted at him. He claimed the campaign against him is being orchestrated by individuals who fear that the current administration’s security initiatives may jeopardise their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the minister, the figures behind these attacks are politicians desperate for relevance and determined to distract him from his responsibilities. He stressed that public service requires unwavering courage and commitment, insisting that attempts to link him to events unrelated to his office are simply “desperate political propaganda” intended to mislead the public.
Matawalle also addressed criticisms linked to the persistent security challenges in Zamfara State, where he previously served as governor. He emphasized that the banditry crisis predated his administration, noting that it had been entrenched in the region for decades before he assumed office. He maintained that, contrary to allegations, his administration introduced extensive security reforms aimed at confronting the insurgency.
He listed several measures taken during his tenure, including strengthening intelligence networks, setting up high-level security committees, initiating disarmament programmes, and removing compromised traditional rulers who were allegedly aiding criminal activities. He added that numerous bandit leaders were apprehended and prosecuted, and several communities benefited from improved surveillance and coordinated military support.
The minister further highlighted that thousands of abducted victims were rescued under his watch, including the deportation of 11 Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal mining operations. Any effort to distort these achievements, he said, amounts to exploiting the suffering of citizens for political gain. He also noted that Zamfara reportedly experienced over a year without major security incidents due to the reforms his administration introduced.
Reflecting on past challenges, Matawalle recounted the harassment he faced while coordinating rescue efforts during the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State. Despite the pressure, he insisted he remained steadfast because “humanity comes first.”
Matawalle concluded by reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that no amount of propaganda or blackmail would influence the president’s decisions or derail the defence reforms currently underway.
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