The Middle-Belt Forum of Good Governance has urged Nigerians to offer prayers and support to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, in his efforts to restore national security, rather than engage in political distractions and condemnation.
The National Coordinator of the Forum, Idoko Uche, made this appeal during an interactive session with journalists, highlighting recent successes in the fight against banditry. He noted that several notorious bandits operating across Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kaduna States have been neutralized through a coordinated military campaign.
According to Uche, the offensive in the North West has shown significant results over the past three weeks, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for Dr. Matawalle, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military officers to relocate to Sokoto to lead operations against banditry.
“This was achieved following the directive of President Bola Tinubu, for Dr. Matawalle, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military officers to relocate to Sokoto for a second time to eradicate bandits in the region,” Uche explained.
He praised Matawalle for personally visiting key hotspots, including Sabon Birnin, Goronyo, Rabah, and Isa Local Government Area, which borders Zamfara State and Niger Republic. These areas, notorious for arms smuggling, are strongholds of bandit leaders such as Bello Turji.
“Bandit kingpin Bello Turji and his cohorts are in disarray, with no option but to surrender or face elimination, like their mentor Habibu Sububu,” Uche said.
The forum attributed the success of the operations to the commitment of Dr. Matawalle and Gen. Musa in dismantling criminal networks that have terrorized the region for over 15 years through kidnapping, robbery, illegal taxation, and community displacement.
Uche also called on politicians, clerics, traditional rulers, and security agents to refrain from actions that undermine the military’s efforts.
“We call on unscrupulous politicians, misguided clerics, local residents, traditional rulers, and unpatriotic security agents to stop sabotaging the fight against banditry in the North West region, which is being effectively coordinated by Dr. Matawalle and the military chiefs,” he said.
He stressed that the synergy between security agencies and the Minister of State for Defence exemplifies the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to restore peace and security across Nigeria.
“Anyone who disparages those leading the fight against banditry, insurgency, militancy, and terrorism is either aiding these criminals or is unhappy with the president’s resolve to end insecurity in Nigeria,” Uche stated.
He warned that some former governors and retired military officers attempting to distract the ongoing operations are motivated by personal financial interests, seeking to siphon security funds.
“The minister, along with other security leaders, needs prayers, encouragement, and logistical support, not attacks or distractions that derail this national mission,” Uche added.
He also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara for politicizing security matters.
“It is unfortunate that the PDP in Zamfara has chosen to politicize national security, displaying ignorance of military command structures and attempting to undermine Matawalle’s efforts,” Uche said.
He dismissed the criticism that Dr. Matawalle had abandoned Zamfara to focus on operations in Sokoto, clarifying that the minister was acting on directives from President Tinubu.
“Dr. Bello Matawalle is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not a minister of Zamfara State,” Uche emphasized.
He revealed that President Tinubu had directed the minister to coordinate operations from the 8th Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Sokoto, which oversees military activities across Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
“In line with military command structures, the 8th Division oversees military activities in these areas. However, out of ignorance, the PDP in Zamfara criticized Matawalle for staying in Sokoto instead of Zamfara to coordinate the anti-banditry operations,” he said.
Uche also disclosed that the ongoing operations had successfully neutralized another notorious bandit, Jamilu Sububu, among others.
He criticized the PDP for allegedly obstructing Matawalle’s security efforts in Zamfara, describing their current actions as hypocritical.
“Sadly, the same PDP that frustrated Matawalle’s efforts in providing public safety and order in Zamfara is now hypocritically complaining about his role in Sokoto. This is the danger of do-or-die politics,” Uche concluded.
