ZAMFARA STATE: The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Tuesday, said the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and President Bola Tinubu were aware of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle’s alleged involvement with the banditry in Zamfara state.
In addition, the governor said he had reported the minister to the NSA and the President and presented some facts to them.
This follows after former Zamfara governor Matawalle denied any links to armed bandits.Matawalle urged Governor Dauda and General Ali Gusau (retd.) to swear under oath that they have no involvement in the banditry that is ravaging the state and the entire Northwest region, claiming the Holy Quran as evidence to support its claims
Mattawalle contended that since he opted to engage in conversation with bandits as a means of putting an end to killings, it was unjustified to accuse him of supporting them.
The former governor of the state, claimed that since he went to engage in dialogue with bandits as a means of putting an end to killings, it was unjustified to accuse him of supporting terrorists.
He stated that similar negotiations with bandits had also been needed for the governors of Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina states.
Read related news: Show Proof That I Sponsor Bandits- Minister Of Defence, Matawalle Challenges Gusau, Others
The defence minister for state, challenged his successor, Dauda Lawal, and General Gusau to swear by the Qur’an that Mattawalle claimed that since he went to engage in dialogue with bandits as a means of putting an end to killings, it was unjustified to accuse him of supporting terrorists.
He stated that similar negotiations with bandits had also been needed for the governors of Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina states.
While insisting that he was not a financier of bandits, Matawalle threw down the burden of proof to his successor, Lawal, and General Gusau, to swear by the Qur’an that they were were not the bandits’ sponsors, despite his insistence that he was not.
It’s a lie from him, Matawalle. We mention names. He needs to come out and clean his name. He needs to explain his relationship with the bandits
These two people were the ones to whom he supplied Hilux, as well as money and food to distribute among the criminals. Thus, this is not an allegation; the NSA is aware of the facts that we have.
All of these facts were additionally presented to President Bola Tinubu by the governor when they met. Furthermore, he has informed the NSA of the present situation and the facts at hand. However, now that he wants facts, be sure that the facts will be provided.
He’s pushing for a media trial since he wants it. So, we’ll do it because we know we have all the evidence.”
Zakari Mijinyawa, a spokesman for the Office of the National Security Adviser, did not return calls or messages on Whatsapp or the phone.
He had not replied to the communication that had been forwarded to him asking whether the NSA had looked into the minister’s accusations.
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