A former aide to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has accused him of colluding with security operatives to target perceived enemies, protect allies, and facilitate dealings with notorious bandit leaders during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State. The allegations were made by Musa Muhammad Kamara, also known as Musa Kamarawa, in an interview with Hausa-language media platform rHi Hausa.
Kamara, who served as Matawalle’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) when he was governor, claimed that the former governor exercised undue influence over security operations. According to him, Matawalle allegedly deployed police officers as a personal hit squad, targeting individuals based on loyalty and political alignment, while shielding allies from prosecution or attack.
The former aide further alleged that the Zamfara State Government under Matawalle’s leadership purchased vehicles for notorious bandit leaders, including Hilux trucks, as part of a strategic arrangement. Kamara said he personally facilitated one such vehicle procurement during his service in the governor’s office, highlighting the extent of the alleged collusion.
Kamara also recounted how he became a target of security operatives in 2021 after raising concerns about the misuse of state resources. He claimed that the police shifted from questioning him to persecuting him once he began speaking out about the alleged banditry-related dealings facilitated by Matawalle.
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Throughout his interview, Kamara swore by the Holy Qur’an to attest to the veracity of his statements. He challenged Matawalle to deny the allegations publicly under oath if they were false, emphasizing the seriousness of his claims and the moral weight of his testimony.
The former SSA accused Matawalle of colluding with the Nigeria Police Force to intimidate and silence him. He said that although he was brought to court multiple times, prosecution witnesses failed to appear, and the cases eventually collapsed due to lack of evidence, which he interprets as proof of political interference.
Kamara mentioned specific bandit leaders, including Bello Turji and Halilu Sububu, as recipients of government assistance, claiming these arrangements facilitated ongoing insecurity in Zamfara. He stressed that these alleged dealings had long-term implications for governance and security in the state.
Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, appointed Minister of State for Defence in August 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not issued a detailed response to these specific allegations. In the past, however, he has publicly denied previous claims linking him to banditry and challenged critics to swear by the Qur’an regarding their accusations.
The allegations have sparked debate across social and traditional media in Nigeria, highlighting concerns about governance, security oversight, and political accountability. Civil society groups continue to monitor the developments closely, emphasizing the need for transparent investigation into such claims.
The situation underscores the challenges of security management in Nigeria’s North West, where banditry, kidnappings, and violence remain pervasive. Observers warn that these claims, whether proven or disproven, could influence public trust in political leaders and security institutions in a region already struggling with chronic insecurity.
