Bandit Leader Alleges Tinubu’s Minister Involved in Banditry, Islamic Cleric Urges Investigation of Matawalle

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Accusations and Calls for Investigation Surrounding Nigeria's Northwest Banditry Crisis


Mohammed Bello Turji Kachalla, a notorious bandit leader, has accused Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara State, of supporting terrorism in the Northwest region. Turji, in a video shared by security expert Zagazola Makama, alleged that Matawalle has ties to bandits operating in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states. These accusations follow Turji's previous claims and subsequent denials from Matawalle’s camp.


Turji, who has been active in northern Nigerian states, specifically mentioned that individuals like Dan Maigari and Baleri, who are allegedly involved in banditry, should be investigated. He questioned Matawalle's role in the kidnapping and release of female students in Marado, asking from whom the girls were rescued if Matawalle was not involved in banditry.


The camp of Minister Matawalle has dismissed Turji's allegations as baseless and malicious. In a statement signed by Deyemi Saka, a representative of Matawalle, the accusations were described as concocted lies aimed at discrediting the Minister. Saka emphasized Matawalle's efforts to tackle banditry during his tenure as Zamfara’s governor from 2019 to 2023, noting his refusal to negotiate with bandits after an amnesty window had closed.


Adding to the controversy, Sheikh Murtala Asada, a prominent Islamic cleric known for his sermons against banditry and poor governance, called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to investigate Matawalle. Asada asserted that if the government is serious about fighting insecurity, it must look into the allegations against Matawalle and others accused of complicity in terrorism.


In his recent sermon, Asada questioned why Matawalle continues to hold his ministerial position despite the accusations. He urged the Federal Government to take immediate action, pointing out that bandits and their sponsors operate openly within urban areas, including Sokoto. Asada stressed that genuine efforts to combat banditry must include addressing the urban networks that facilitate and finance these criminal activities.


The accusations and calls for investigation highlight the complex and entrenched nature of banditry in Nigeria's Northwest. Turji’s claims and Asada's demands for accountability reflect a broader frustration with perceived governmental inaction and the persistence of insecurity in the region. The ongoing allegations against high-profile political figures underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and transparent approach to tackling the root causes of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.

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