Bello Matawalle, the minister of state for defence, has saidthat recent attacks against him were being pushed by people whose politicalambitions for 2027 are threatened by the government’s security reforms. In a statement signed by his media aide, Ibrahim Dosara, hesaid he is facing coordinated, malicious and politically sponsored attacksaimed at damaging his reputation and downplaying his work in strengtheningNigeria’s security system. According to him, “Public service demands courage,consistency, and a commitment to truth.” He said he has watched “false allegations and maliciousnarratives”*spread by political rivals who want to score cheap points. Matawalle accused his critics of trying to use sensitivesecurity issues to create propaganda. He said those behind the attacks are politicians seekingrelevance and trying to distract him from his job. He said, “Attempts to drag my name into unrelated events arenothing but desperate political propaganda.” He added that the allegations are baseless, the agenda ispolitical, and the truth remains clear despite the smear campaigns. Matawalle explained that banditry was already a deep-rootedcrisis long before he became governor of Zamfara. According to him, “Banditry was not a problem that wasinvented under my watch... it had grown over decades.” He said his administration introduced structured securitymeasures, set up high-level committees, improved intelligence, and prosecutedcriminals. He also said compromised traditional rulers were removed,and disarmament programmes were implemented with military support. The minister noted that thousands of abducted victims wererescued during his time as governor, and 11 Chinese nationals involved inillegal mining were deported. Anyone trying to distort this record, he said, isplaying politics with the pain of innocent citizens. Matawalle also said Zamfara went more than a year withoutmajor security incidents because of these measures. He added that he facedharassment while working on the rescue of kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi,saying, “I received harassment and intimidation... but I refused to bow topressure. Humanity comes first.” He insisted that those attacking him are afraid of theongoing defence reforms and are motivated by the 2027 political race. He reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, saying, “Myloyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains total... No amount of propagandawill influence his decisions.” He praised Nigeria’s security agencies for theirprofessionalism in rescue operations.
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