Bello Matawalle Archives - Page 2 of 5

Cabinet reshuffle: Mixed reactions trail Tinubu’s ministerial retainment of Matawalle

October 26, 2024October 26, 2024 Aminu Imam

President Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which included the removal of five Ministers and the appointment of seven new ones awaiting Senate confirmation, has drawn mixed reactions across Nigeria. The re-organisation eliminated the Ministry of Sports Development, transferring its duties to the National Sports Commission, and replaced the Ministry of Niger-Delta Development with the Ministry of Regional Development, aimed at streamlining resources across various regional Commissions. Criticism arose regarding Tinubu�s decision to retain Bello Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence, despite accusations linking him to banditry in Zamfara State,…

‘Why Defense Minister, Matawalle wasn�t sacked’- Presidency

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Aminu Imam

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has disclosed why the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, was not affected by the recent cabinet reshuffle. Recall that Matawalle was repeatedly accused by Zamfara State governor Dauda Lawal, of working secretly with bandits in the North-West region. However during the interview, Onanuga said that the allegations linking Matawalle to the spate of banditry in the North-West was untrue. He added that the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) investigated allegations bordering on the Minister�s…

Defence Minister warns Amaechi over call for protest against hardship

October 13, 2024October 13, 2024 Aminu Imam

Minister of State for Defence,. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has condemned recent statements made by Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of inciting violence and unrest among the Nigerian populace. Recall that Amaechi recently said Nigerians should be protesting against the hardship in the country. Matawalle, in a statement released yesterday by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, issued a stern warning to the former Minister of Transport, urging him to desist from making inflammatory remarks that threaten the peace and stability of the nation. Matawalle expressed deep…

Northern Elder, Umaru Hadejia says his son Bashir, 3 others unlawfully detained by Police on orders of Jnr. Defense Minister

October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 Aminu Imam

A prominent northern elder, Umaru Hadejia, and his sons have allegedly been unlawfully detained by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, under the directive of the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle. The incident reportedly occurred on September 30, 2024, around 6 pm, without any arrest warrants or charges brought against them. In a press statement/petition issued yesterday, Hadejia revealed that he, alongside his sons, Bashir, Bello, Mahmud, Abubakar, and Ahmad, have been held in detention despite no formal accusations being made. He specifically…

Banditry Allegation: Court OK’s suit to compel FG to probe Defence Minister, Matawalle

September 28, 2024September 28, 2024 Aminu Imam

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, okayed a suit seeking to compel the Federal Government to investigate alleged link between the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle and the operation of bandits in Zamfara State. Cited as 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit, which was brought before the court by a Zamfara State-based human rights activist, Abubakar Dahiru, are; President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as the Inspector-General of Police. Specifically, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Ojonimi Apeh,…

Zamfara Gov., Lawal reveals Defence Minister�s involvement in banditry

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 Aminu Imam

…Calls for his resignation Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has revealed Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle�s alleged involvement in banditry. Lawal made the claim during a television programme on Wednesday, citing credible information. �From all the informations we�re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry issue�, the governor was quoted as saying. This revelation comes amidst unending activities of bandits in northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina States. Lawal�s accusation is not the first time Matawalle has faced allegations of sponsoring banditry.…

Alleged N70bn theft: “Matawalle can�t escape probe”, EFCC assures Zamfara APC protesters

September 8, 2024September 8, 2024 Aminu Imam

The EFCC has promised to continue its investigation into alleged stealing of N70bn by Nigeria�s deputy defence minister Bello Matawalle. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle appears to be in deeper mess as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday promised to continue with his investigation over alleged stealing of N70 billion between 2019 and 2023. The Commission said it does not close cases once it opens an investigation. The EFCC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, gave the assurance during a protest by members…

‘Why northerners dominate Tinubu�s security team’ � Matawalle

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024 Aminu Imam

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday, insisted that President Bola Tinubu has not been unfair to the North in appointments, pointing out that the President filled key security positions with northerners. The Minister, who spoke in Sokoto on Tuesday, during a visit to the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji at 8 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, said this decision is because President Tinubu understands the security situation in the North, particularly the North-West, and he wants a solution. Matawalle, who was accompanied by the Chief…

N’West: Matawalle, CDS, other Service Chiefs move to tackle terrorists, bandits

September 2, 2024September 2, 2024 Aminu Imam

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has directed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the other Service Chiefs to move to Sokoto, headquarters of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army to tackle activities of terrorists and bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi States and its environs. Director, Information and Public, Ministry of Defence, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike, disclosed this in a press release. According to the press statement, �This strategic move underscores the unwavering commitment of Government to restoring peace and security in the region. While in…

Untouchable’ Zamfara ex-Govs. fuel illegal mining and banditry – Investigation

August 18, 2024August 18, 2024 Aminu Imam

In Zamfara State, local officials and former governors are deeply entangled in the illegal gold mining industry, contributing to the region’s lawlessness, according to an investigation by Truth Nigeria. The vice-chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Ado Adamu, disclosed that influential politicians and village chiefs facilitate illegal mining by securing federal permits under false pretenses and pressuring local miners. Despite a federal ban on mining in Zamfara to curb related violence, ex-governors have been accused of forming bogus companies to exploit the State’s resources. One former governor, now a…