A growing number of Nigerians are calling for the resignation of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following the circulation of an old video in which he defended some bandits in Zamfara State.
The Channels TV clip, recorded in 2021 when Matawalle was governor of Zamfara, shows him explaining that “not all” bandits were criminals. He made the remarks at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting with then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding to reporters’ questions on banditry in Zamfara, Matawalle suggested that some of the attackers were reacting to injustices allegedly carried out by local vigilante groups.
“Not all of them are criminals,” he said. “If you investigate what is happening… sometimes they were cheated by the vigilante group. They go to their settlements, destroy property and take their animals. They didn’t have anyone to speak with, so they go for revenge. When the vigilante group attacks them, they go for reprisals.”
The resurfaced video began circulating shortly after the resignation of Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, heightening public scrutiny on the Defence Ministry.
Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) have since expressed outrage, with many demanding Matawalle’s removal. Some reactions compiled by Nigerian Newssphere include:
@A6udawud: “Matawalle always approaches bandits with negotiation rather than fighting them… Tinubu should take out Matawalle who turns the Defence Ministry into a campaign hub.”
@tkayose: “No wonder the APC Tinubu government keeps using bandits in place of terrorists. Why hasn’t Matawalle and Gumi been arrested?”
@engr_shaibu_: “Matawalle said bandits aren’t criminals… Now he’s Minister of Defence. This empty head and terrorist sympathizer is now writing our security policy. He needs to be sacked immediately!”
@RealQueenBee__: “You knew who he was and still gave him the job. I blame you, not him.”
This comes after Abubakar Badaru recently resigned and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Musa Christopher as Nigerian Defence Minister.
