Calls for Minister Matawalle’s resignation is growing as old video of him ‘defending bandits’ has resurfaced online.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that a fresh wave of criticism has trailed Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following the resurfacing of an old video in which he appeared to defend some armed groups in Zamfara State.
The clip, originally recorded by Channels Television in 2021, has gone viral, prompting many Nigerians to demand his immediate resignation.
The footage captures Matawalle, who was serving as Zamfara State governor at the time, speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after a meeting with then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Responding to questions about escalating banditry in his state, he stated that “not all of them are criminals.”
He had said:
“Not all of them are criminals. If you investigate what is happening, and what made them take the law into their hands, some of them were cheated by the so-called vigilante groups. They go to their settlements, destroy property and take their animals. They have no one to speak for them, so sometimes they go for revenge. When the vigilante group attacks them, they go for reprisals. That is exactly what happened.”
The controversial remarks resurfaced online just hours after the resignation of Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, further intensifying public scrutiny of the Ministry of Defence.
Social media users, especially on X (formerly Twitter), have expressed outrage. Some comments compiled by NaijaOnPoint include:
@A6udawud wrote:
“Matawalle always approaches bandits with negotiation rather than confrontation. He negotiated the Kebbi girls’ release. Tinubu should remove him; he’s turning the Defence Ministry into a campaign hub.”
@tkayose posted:
“The now Minister of State for Defence once said this. No wonder the APC Tinubu government keeps using ‘bandits’ in place of ‘terrorists.’ Why haven’t Matawalle and Gumi been arrested?”
@engr_shaibu_ added:
“Matawalle said bandits aren’t criminals, just misunderstood victims. Now he’s Minister of Defence. This empty head and terrorist sympathiser is writing our security policy. He needs to be sacked immediately!”
@RealQueenBee__ wrote:
“You knew who he was, and still gave him the job. I blame you, not him.”
The controversy continues to gain momentum as more Nigerians join the call for his removal.