…We’d fully implement Nigeria-United States Security Agreement in Washington DC after changes are made for national security purposes
*‘Tactical plans, covert operations, vulnerable into the hands of terrorists’
*‘The choice of Nigeria President Tinubu’s new Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa shows strength, stability, maximum pressure in line with expectation from the international community’
*Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal alleges Bello Matawalle, then as governor paid ransom to bandits through the government house, hosted militants during tenure, finally present reports to the National Security Adviser and Mr. President
*“Certainly, Bello Matawalle cannot claim to be innocent in supporting terrorism and frustrating security operations. We can tell that his previous amnesty programme only empowered some bandits”-Notorious militants’ leader, Bello Turji confess
*“I have no connection with bandits, and I am challenging my accusers, including Governor Lawal, to do the same. I am innocent of accusation. Then as Zamfara State elected governor, I only engaged in dialogue with bandits and created an amnesty program for them as a non-kinetic strategy. I vow to flush out all criminal elements from the North-West region and warning informants to repent now or face consequences”-BELLO MATAWALLE, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence
*BY KELANI ADEDAYO/WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT/Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA & KWEKU JOSEPH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT, ACCRA, GHANA/Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA
FROM all indications the United States Government are presently awaiting the administration of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the final decision in ousting from office Bello Matawalle, the incumbent Minister of State for Defence, presently in the eyes of the storm, due to various verified reports in the custody of Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of War, allegedly tying him to bandits’ activities and ‘back-door’ leakages of intelligence data sharing operations in ending the nightmare of terrorism in Africa’s most populous black nation.
A top security aide working in former United States Defence Department turned Department of War, who witnessed the visitation of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu led meeting to Hegseth office in Washington DC recently where the agreed security agreement was signed, squealed that the U.S made it clear that nothing would stand its way in eliminating terrorists in Northern Nigeria, and any other region in the country due to attack of innocent citizens for their various religious beliefs.
This reliable security expert who confided in our correspondents to keep his identity safe, and not to blow his cover since he was not authorised to speak to the press emphasized that barely a few days after Ribadu’s team got back to Abuja, the U.S Department of War office began to mount pressure on Aso Rock to sack Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, then Minister of Defence for alleged incompetence and not been able to draw a red line with Matawalle, the embattled Minister of State for Defence.
Credible reports reaching Washington DC indicates that intelligence data sharing, intended UAV airstrike operations from clandestine base in Accra, Ghana were allegedly being leaked to terrorists in the Northern parts of the country, which invariably put the mission in jeopardy and the lives of the United States Navy Seals and Marines, in conjunction with the Nigerian security operatives in danger.
“Where on earth do you see a well-mapped out security strategy being leaked to terrorists? Where do you see well-drawn intelligence data sharing and UAV Ops being compromised? Without a shred of a doubt, there is a mole within leaking such vital information to terrorists. The implication is: the leaks automatically delay, or abort the mission temporarily, put the assignment in jeopardy and risk putting the lives of the United States Navy Seals, Marines and Special force, in conjunction with the Nigerian security operatives in danger.
“This was why the U.S Department of War office began to mount pressure on Aso Rock to sack Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, then Minister of Defence for alleged incompetence and not been able to draw a red line with Matawalle, the embattled Minister of State for Defence. Sensing he was to be fired by President Tinubu, he threw in the towel, a few days ago.
“I can confirm to you in this medium that the U.S. Navy Seals and the Marines and the Nigerian security operatives have all been working round the clock under the U.S., African Command, AFRICOM, to fully activate the signed U.S-Nigeria Security plan. But the process will only begin after Matawalle must have either resigned or fired from the office which he presently occupies”, the source added
Another security expert working in The United States Pentagon, in the know of the U.S.-Nigeria plan explained in these words: “The choice of Nigeria President Tinubu’s new Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa shows strength, stability, maximum pressure in line with expectation from the international community.
“General Musa’s military training in Nigeria and Overseas are well documented here in the United States. Don’t forget that he was born in the defunct North-Western State (now Sokoto State), hails from Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna State Nigeria, obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) on graduation on September 21, 1991, as a member of the 38th Regular Course, got commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant.
“He obtained an Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategies Course, and a Master of Science (Military Science), International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University (ICDS-NDU), Changping, China, and later went through a Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course Leadership at the prestigious United States Army War College. He received the Collin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldering in America, among many awards.”
“It will be extremely difficult for General Musa to work directly with Matawalle in such a compromised security atmosphere. Tactical plans, covert operations, are now vulnerable into the hands of terrorists. There is no pretense, Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence must resign or being kicked out so President Tinubu could appoint another unblemished military officer with specialty in soldering, operations and intelligence to take over quickly. I can tell you that that is what Washington DC is waiting for presently, and then it acts decisively,” confided from The Pentagon.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal reportedly alleged Bello Matawalle, then as governor paid ransom to bandits through the government house, hosted militants during tenure. Lawal had finally presented its reports to the office of the National Security Adviser and Mr. President for a full review.
A notorious bandits’ commander, Bello Turji confessed to his seeming relationship to the Minister of State for Defence, in the following derogatory terms: “Bello Matawalle cannot claim to be innocent in supporting terrorism and frustrating security operations. We can tell that his previous amnesty programme only empowered some bandits.”
Fighting back to clear his name, and retain his plum office, Matawalle reportedly said in the following words: “I have no connection with bandits, and I am challenging my accusers, including Governor Lawal, to do the same. I am innocent of accusation. Then as Zamfara State elected governor, I only engaged in dialogue with bandits and created an amnesty program for them as a non-kinetic strategy. I vow to flush out all criminal elements from the North-West region and warning informants to repent now or face consequences.”
As it is today, there is growing pressure on President Tinubu to also remove Matawalle from office as Minister of State for Defence following the ‘resignation’ of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Minister of Defence.
Reasons being that the United States requested the removal of both Badaru Abubakar and Matawalle before it would engage in any collaboration with Nigeria on combating terrorism and banditry.
*Matawalle’s alleged ties to bandits in Nigeria:
Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, has a relationship with bandits marked by a controversial “dialogue” policy during his governorship and subsequent severe allegations of sponsorship, which he vehemently denies.
*Current Governor’s Accusations:
The current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has publicly and repeatedly accused Matawalle of being “fully involved” in banditry issues, claiming he has evidence and has presented it to the National Security Adviser (NSA) and President Bola Tinubu. Lawal has alleged that ransoms were paid through the government house during Matawalle’s tenure and that bandits were hosted there.
*Bandit Leader’s Claims:
Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has also accused Matawalle of involvement in supporting terrorism and frustrating security operations. Turji claimed that Matawalle’s previous amnesty programme only empowered some bandits.
*Other Accusations:
Allegations also mention that Matawalle’s administration then as governor purchased and distributed 36 brand-new Hilux vehicles to bandit leaders, including Turji and the late Halilu Sububu, as part of the failed peace efforts. Reports have also resurfaced of foodstuff allegedly distributed to bandits in March 2024.
*Matawalle’s Defence and Reactions:
*Denial and Oath:
Matawalle has consistently and emphatically denied all allegations, labelling them as “baseless,” “unfounded,” and politically motivated. He famously swore on the Holy Quran that he had no connection to bandits and challenged his accusers, including Governor Lawal, to do the same.
* Defence of Dialogue:
Matawalle defends his past decision to engage in dialogue and an amnesty program with bandits as a non-kinetic strategy recommended by security stakeholders at the time, which he claims led to the recovery of thousands of abducted persons and ammunition.
*Current Stance as Minister:
As the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has adopted a hardline public stance against bandits, vowing to “flush out” all criminal elements from the North-West region and warning informants to repent or face consequences.
We are watching this development closely, as it unfolds….
DONATE TO HELP BUILD A SPECIAL APPS FOR JOURNALISTS AGAINST LIVER ELEVATION & KIDNEY FAILURE:
CERTAINLY, Good journalism costs a lot of money. Without doubt, only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. We are ready to hold every corrupt government accountable to the citizens. To continually enjoy free access to the best investigative journalism in Nigeria, we are requesting of you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavor.”
By contributing to NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all without fear or favor.
Your donation is voluntary — please decide how much and how often you want to give.
FOR OFFLINE OR ANONYMOUS DONATION ON THIS PROJECT OR HELP COVER COST FOR SERIES OF UNDERCOVER REPORTING IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, DO PAY DIRECTLY FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO: BANK NAME-MONIEPOINT *BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: 7076577445
Feel free to send us an email: letters@nigeriastandardnewspaper.com or call us directly at +2347076577445 (Nigeria) or WhatsApp American Roaming Mobile Number: +16825834890 (Chat messages only available)
donation
