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| Bello Matawalle. |
Calls for the resignation of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, have intensified after an old video of him resurfaced online, showing him making remarks that appeared to justify the actions of some bandits.
The footage, originally aired by Channels TV in 2021, captured Matawalle — then Governor of Zamfara State — speaking to journalists at the State House in Abuja following a meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding to questions about persistent bandit attacks in Zamfara, Matawalle argued that “not all of them are criminals.”
“Not all of them are criminals. If you investigate what is happening, and what made them to take the laws into their hands, some of them, sometimes were cheated by so-called the vigilante group.
“They normally go to their settlements and destroy property and take their animals. They did not have anyone to speak with, so sometimes, they go for revenge. When the vigilante group attacks them, they go for reprisals. That is exactly what happened,” Matawalle said at the time.
The clip re-emerged online shortly after the resignation of Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, prompting renewed scrutiny of Matawalle’s past comments.
Here are some reactions from X (formerly Twitter):
@A6udawud: “Matawalle always approach bandits with negotiation rather than fighting them. He negotiated for the kebbi girls’ release. Tinubu should take out Matawalle who turns the Defence Ministry into a campaign hub.”
@tkayose: “The now minister of state of defence former zamfara state governor matawalle once said. No wonder the APC Tinubu govt keep using bandits in place of terrorist. Why hasn’t matawalle and Gumi been arrested?”
@engr_shaibu_: “Matawalle said bandits aren’t criminals. Just misunderstood victims. Now he’s Minister of Defence. This empty head and terrorists sympathizer is now the one 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.”
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