The Guardians of One Nigeria (GON) have warned against the ongoing attempt by faceless individuals to sabotage the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.

The group, in a statement by Darius Ishakwu on Wednesday in Abuja, frowned upon the stories being peddled around that Matawalle has been relieved of his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The GON was apparently reacting to some rumours making the rounds on social media on Tuesday, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may have sacked the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.

The story claimed that the purported dismissal of the Ministers was due to their failure to stop the ongoing killings of innocent Nigerians across the country.

The group cautioned whoever was behind the propaganda to desist, adding that the Minister of State for Defence deserves commendations, as he has surpassed his predecessors in sustaining the onslaught against the insurgents.

“If the Defence Ministers in past administrations had done half of what Matawalle has done in less than two years, we would not have been here discussing insecurity in this tone. The dexterity with which the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, also faces the monstrous challenge of insecurity is a testament that there is great synergy amongst the Service Chiefs and the Defence Ministry,” they noted.

“Just yesterday, when the enemies of Nigeria went out to plant the fake news online, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the CDS, General Musa, were in Borno State to pay an operational visit to those patriotic personnel at the Theater of War, to encourage them and possibly get first-hand feedback from those who bear the brunt.

The Governor of the state, Prof. Zulu, was on hand to receive them, and together, they were conducted around the troops’ camps.”

“There are tactical means the current administration is devising in fighting insurgencies, banditry, and terrorism. These are not fights you take to social media. These are not what anyone should play politics with. If anyone wishes President Tinubu well in his administration, such a person should suggest plausible ways to assist the existing security agencies and the Defence Chiefs, through intelligence gathering, community policing, homeland defence, neighbourhood watch, and other possible means.

“This is what we stand for in Guardians of One Nigeria. We believe that security is not a one-man show. Government alone cannot do it. We need to rally around with great support. But, if anyone has nothing meaningful to offer, such a fellow should better keep his mouth shut, rather than playing dirty politics at the expense of the lives of our people. The year 2027 would come and go, but Nigeria would still remain as one.”

The group, speaking further, said it was on record that Matawalle is someone who has devoted his energy to visiting troops on the front line.

It said, “He (Matawalle) knows his onions and should not be distracted. We will continue to support him to achieve his aim of bringing insurgencies to a standstill in Nigeria.”