APC group demands probe of Matawalle over insecurity in Zamfara

A group of protesters under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum yesterday gathered at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), urging the agency to investigate Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for alleged ties with bandits.

The demonstrators, holding various placards, also called on President Bola Tinubu to address the matter, stressing that failure to investigate the defence minister could damage the party and the reputation of security agencies.

Current Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, had appeared on TVC in September, alleging that Matawalle was directly involved in banditry. Lawal claimed that the former governor housed terrorists at the government residence and facilitated ransom payments through the government.

“If I were him (Matawalle), I would resign and face all the allegations against me because, from all the information we are getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry,” Governor Lawal stated.

Addressing journalists at the DSS headquarters, Chairman of the forum, Mallam Musa Mahmud, expressed serious concerns about the allegations, urging the secret police not to treat the matter lightly. He emphasised that the issue impacts governance, security, and the welfare of Zamfara State residents.

The forum stated, “We consider it our responsibility as loyal party members to seek a thorough investigation into these serious claims to uphold the integrity of our party and our esteemed leader, the president. Ignoring these issues could harm our party and tarnish the reputation of security agencies.

“These are not just political concerns but matters of life and death, economic survival, and fundamental human rights for the people of Zamfara State, the Northwest, and Nigeria as a whole. Therefore, we appeal to the DSS, an institution trusted by Nigerians, to investigate the allegations against the state minister for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

“We want the DSS to conduct this investigation, not to castigate Matawalle, but to protect millions of Nigerians and uphold the integrity of the president and security agencies, especially the intelligence community.”

The forum urged the DSS to advise the president to relieve Matawalle of his position to allow for a thorough investigation. They pointed to alleged ties between Matawalle and individuals such as Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru as warranting scrutiny.

The forum added:, “These concerns are not abstract; they reflect real violations of Zamfara residents’ rights — to education, healthcare, economic security, and a life free from the constant threat of banditry and violence. Any committed Nigerian, particularly members of our party, should be deeply concerned.

“The claim that Matawalle ‘remains loyal to President Bola Tinubu and has the full trust of the administration’ is troubling. Since when has loyalty to a sitting president been a reason to shield an individual accused of ties with dangerous criminals? Matawalle is not the only minister in our government. Why is he surrounded by so many allegations, unlike the substantive and senior Defence Minister, His Excellency Badaru, who faces no such accusations? Anyone with the party’s best interests at heart should be alarmed.”