Tag: DEFENCE MINISTER

Wike–Military clash sparks national outrage

Aminu Imam
Wike–Military clash

…Defence Minister backs soldiers, Buratai, others demand apology A fierce national debate has erupted, following the heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer at a disputed plot of land in Abuja, with the Defence Minister, military veterans, a former Army chief, and a constitutional lawyer all weighing-in with sharply divided views. The face-off, which occurred on Tuesday at Plot 1946 in the Gaduwa District, was captured in a viral video showing Wike berating the officer for allegedly protecting an “illegally…

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Attacks on military bases: Group demands Defence Minister, Badaru’s resignation

Aminu Imam
Group demands Badaru's sack

Following a series of coordinated attacks by Boko Haram and  the Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on military bases in Borno State, the Northern Patriots for Security and Development, (NPSD), has called for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, citing his inability to provide effective leadership for the armed forces. In a statement issued in Kano on Tuesday evening, NPSD President, Mansur Ibrahim Ɗantani, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the North-East region, attributing it to the Defence Minister’s…

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Defence Minister makes U-turn, endorses Senate security summit

Aminu Imam
Badaru makes U turn

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, yesterday, reversed his earlier stance and pledged full support for the National Security Summit being organised by the 10th National Assembly. Describing the proposed summit as “a timely initiative to tackle Nigeria’s growing security concerns”, Badaru expressed his commitment to participating in the two-day event and ensuring its outcomes translate into concrete actions. The Minister’s latest position marks a notable departure from his remarks on Wednesday during an inter-ministerial briefing, where he had suggested that developing a security strategy would be more effective than convening…

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“Tinubu has ordered Nigerian military to end banditry in 2025” Matawalle

Aminu Imam
Matawalle says

Minister of State for Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, says President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian military to ensure that banditry is brought to an end in 2025. Matawalle disclosed this yesterday, while addressing All-Progressives Congress (APC) members at his Gusau residence, assuring that the military would do everything to comply with the Presidents directive. Speaking further, the former Zamfara State governor said the Federal Government has concluded all necessary arrangements to deploy more troops and military equipment to troubled areas in the North-West zone. The Federal Government and military…

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‘Why Defense Minister, Matawalle wasnt sacked’- Presidency

Aminu Imam
Presidency on Matawalle

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 Ministers…

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

Aminu Imam
Police DSS detains2

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…

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Zamfara Gov., Lawal reveals Defence Ministers involvement in banditry

Aminu Imam
Dauda Lawal alleges

…Calls for his resignation Zamfara State governor,  Dauda Lawal, has revealed Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalles alleged involvement in banditry. Lawal made the claim during a television programme on Wednesday, citing credible information. From all the informations were 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. Lawals accusation is not the first time Matawalle has faced allegations of sponsoring banditry.…

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Insecurity: “We must not allow anyone defeat us” – Sultan tells Defence Minister, Badaru

Aminu Imam
Sultan

Sultan of Sokoto, His  Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, has advised Nigerians to accept their challenges and work towards addressing them. Hosting the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, at his palace yesterday, the monarch said, We must not allow any body to defeat us. We are pleased to host him as the number one security officer in the country. Without security, we cannot have anything. He (Badaru) knows the weight of the appointment on his shoulder. I believe he has been contacting stakeholder to help him. We are…

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“You’re political paperweights” – Matawalle slams Northern Elders Forum

Aminu Imam
Bello Matawalle

Says threats against Tinubu ridiculous Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has launched a scathing attack on the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for its criticism of the present administration, dismissing the group as a political liability to northerners and asserting that it does not represent the region. In response to remarks made by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Forums spokesperson, expressing regret over the norths support for President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle labelled the group naive. My attention has been drawn to the threats issued by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF)…

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Federal Government Pledges Support for Arewa Traders Association – Defence Minister, Badaru

Aminu Imam

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has assured the Arewa Traders Association, (ATA) of support to boost their businesses. Badaru gave the assurance when he received the association, led by the Acting National President, Alhaji Adam Hassan Ibrahim, in Ship House, Abuja, according to an issued statement by the Ministrys Spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, stated. Badaru pointed out that the Association has been very supportive during the 2023 Local Government, State Government, National Assembly and the Presidential general election, where APC won most of these elections. Consequently, the Minister promised…

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