Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has denied allegations of aiding banditry, calling on accusers to provide evidence in his involvement.
He challenged the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal to swear an oath with the Quran that he has no connection in banditry affecting the state.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, he defended his decision to engage in dialogue with bandits, a practice he says was supported by several governors and has led to the recovery of abducted persons and ammunition in Zamfara.
They should bring any proof of that,” the minister said.
”Because I dialogue, it was not only I, remember all the governors dialogue, the governor of Niger state dialogue with bandits, the governor of Sokoto did the same. while only me because it is Zamfara.”
”Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas”
Matawalle also indicated that his accusers are all involved in the activities they have alleged him of.
”Let me remind you I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening that if I am happy or if I am part of it or if I know those doing it or if I am collaborating with them God should not give me one-second grace”
“I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath that means they are part of it,
“I have always acted in good faith, as have other governors who engaged in dialogue with bandits, including the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Governor of Sokoto State. Yet, I seem to be singled out, perhaps because Zamfara is a complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas,” he stated.
According to estimates from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)–at least five times more people were kidnapped in Nigeria last year than in both Mexico and Colombia combined — countries notorious for abductions
The minister argued that his fearlessness in tackling criminal elements in Zamfara has made him unpopular among those engaged in criminal activities.
“The people who oppose me do so because I go after them,” he remarked
When asked if these individuals were politicians. He said in the affirmation, “Yes, they are politicians, and I go after them.””
“The dialogue brought significant success,” Matawalle asserted, citing the recovery of weapons and the release of thousands of abducted individuals, including some foreign nationals.
Banditry and kidnapping are just some of the challenges facing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who came to power in May promising to tackle insecurity from criminal gangs, jihadists and other armed groups.
Drawing comparisons to the path of negotiations with bandits taken by then President Buhari, in his efforts to secure the release of the Chibok girls, Matawalle said, “This is a global practice; governments across the world enter into agreements to save lives,” he added.
Matawalle also condemned what he described as attempts to blackmail him for his efforts. “People are spreading misconceptions out of hate, but I have no regrets because we achieved a lot of success without paying a single kobo in ransom.”