Matawalle Archives - SocietyGazette.com

Jubilation in Sokoto as Bandits’ Nemesis Matawalle Arrives to Encourage Troops on War

Sokoto residents erupted in jubilation on Wednesday as Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, arrived in the state to rally troops in the fight against banditry.

Matawalle’s visit is part of the federal government’s efforts to restore peace and security in the North West Zone, which has been plagued by banditry.

“I’m thrilled to see Matawalle here,” said Usman Usman, a local resident. “He’s a beacon of hope for us, and his presence gives us confidence that the government is committed to ending this menace.”

Matawalle’s reputation as a bandits’ nemesis has preceded him, with many residents praising his efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.

“Matawalle is a tested, trusted, and reliable leader,” said Umar Ibrahim, a Sokoto resident. “We believe in him, and we know he’ll do everything possible to protect us.”

Notably, Matawalle’s last visit to the northwest led to the death of notorious bandit kingpin Halilu Sububu. This significant breakthrough is a testament to the Minister’s commitment to eradicating banditry.

According to Shehu Mohammed, “President Tinubu and Matawalle’s collaborative efforts have yielded notable successes.

“With Matawalle here, we feel safer, and we know that help is on the way.”

Meanwhile in a statement on Tuesday by Henshaw Ogubike, director of information and public relations at the ministry, Matawalle said his arrival in the state spells doom for bandits and their supporters.

“As directed by Mr. President, I am back to Sokoto state to assure the people of this great region of our commitment to achieving all necessary yardsticks in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

“We will never leave you alone. I assure you, we will win this war against bandits and those supporting them to unleash terror against our people.

“We must collaborate with all stakeholders in this region to achieve our target. The federal government will continue to boost the morale of our soldiers and security agencies in this fight.”

The minister expressed his confidence in the ongoing military operation in the northwest zone.

“I am optimistic that our gallant troops will continue to record successes through Operation Fansan Yamma as we intensify our fight against these criminals,” he said.

Matawalle vowed to “relentlessly” fight bandits and their supporters, adding that the Tinubu administration will continue to prioritise the protection of lives and property.

Protest: Group Apologises to Matawalle, Says Financial Inducement Led Members to Wrong Judgement

The All Progressives Congress Akida Forum has issued a formal apology to Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, for their previous protest and call for an investigation into his tenure as Zamfara State Governor.

In a statement signed by Alhaji Farouq Adamu, the group also said it has expelled members who led the action to the EFCC office, including one Mahmud Mohammed.

Adamu said an emergency committee was set up to investigate the protest and it was discovered that financial inducement led them to make those judgments.

According to him, specifically, Mohammed refused to pay the hired crowd he took to the EFCC for the protest after collecting as much as 50 million naira for the job.

Adamu said their claims were baseless and driven by a desire to partake in the sharing of state resources, which they believed were being unfairly distributed among bandits and some media practitioners.

Unfortunately, Adamu said greed clouded their judgment, leading them to make false allegations against Matawalle.

He said: “The All Progressives Congress Akida Forum wishes to issue a formal apology to Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, regarding our previous protest and call for an investigation into his tenure as Zamfara State Governor.

“We distance ourselves from the protest and already expelled members who led the action to the EFCC office, including Mahmud Mohammed.

“Our initial claims were baseless and driven by a desire to partake in the sharing of state resources, which we believed were being unfairly distributed among bandits and media practitioners. Unfortunately, greed clouded our judgement, leading us to make false allegations against Matawalle.”

Upon further investigation, the group discovered that their actions were misguided and orchestrated by Governor Dauda Lawal.

Adamu said the Governor’s motives are twofold, politics and self-interest, adding that he fears Matawalle’s growing influence and impressive achievements in combating banditry, which threaten his political ambitions and illicit gold mining business.

Adamu notes that the consequences of Governor Lawal’s actions are alarming, not only is he wasting taxpayers’ money and undermining security efforts, he is also diverting attention away from pressing issues affecting Zamfara State, such as poverty, education, and healthcare.

The forum commended Matawalle for changing the tide in the fight against banditry, leading the war himself to the northwest, adding that his bravery and strategic leadership have brought hope to the region.

The group advised Governor Lawal to stop wasting taxpayers’ money to fight Matawalle and instead focus on governance and addressing the pressing needs of Zamfara State.

“We commend Matawalle for changing the tide in the fight against banditry, leading the war himself to the north-west,” Adamu further said.

“His bravery and strategic leadership have brought hope to the region. We urge the Minister not to relent in his efforts to protect Nigeria. His dedication is crucial to the nation’s security.

“Governor Lawal should stop wasting taxpayers’ money to fight a man blessed by God. Instead, he should focus on governance and addressing the pressing needs of Zamfara State.

“We advise our members to turn over a new leaf, embracing truth and integrity. Let us work together for the betterment of Zamfara State. We appreciate Matawalle’s forgiveness and understanding.”