By JACOB PNJEWU DICKSON
The former Commandant, Zamfara Anti-Thuggery Agency, Mr Bello Muhammad Bakyasuwa has called on Minister of State for Defence, Hon.Bello Muhammed Matawalle to resign his position following his failure to address deteriorating security challenges in Zamfara State and North West region.
Bakyasuwa, a retired military officer, and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara expressed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday.
Bakyasuwa also a former Director Security Matters, Zamfara State Government described Matawalle Ministerial position as wastage to the people of Zamfara and Northern Nigeria.
“As I always say, as indigene of Zamfara, I will not keep quiet while our communities are suffering from daily attacks and kidnapping from bandits.
“Therefore, I said, Matawalle must resign his Ministerial position because he has no value to the people of Zamfara State.
“Very unfortunate, Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence, various incidences of insecurity happening in his home town, Maradun, Zamfara State and other neighboring States like Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi,” he said.
Bakyasuwa also condemned recent killing of Chief Imam of Maru town in Maru Local Government Area by bandits with his two children after spending two months in their captivity.
“This is very sad, a whole Chief Imam of a town like Maru, one of the emirates in the state to be killed by bandits and nothing was done.
“Since the Chief Imam and his children, were killed we didn’t hear any response from the Minister, Bello Matawalle and the Federal Government.
“Today in Zamfara nobody is save, the security situation is worsening on daily basis especially in rural communities,” he added
“I am therefore calling on President Bola Ahmad Tinibu to look for the possibility of replacing Bello Matawalle with competent person who can deliver office of the Minister of State for Defence,” he explained.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Minister of State for Defence on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Maigandi Danmalikin Gidangoga described the call for Matawalle’s resignation as politically motivated.
Gidangoga said Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence has done a lot in Zamfara especially as he directed Military operations across the state which have yielded positive results.
“The Military operations in Zamfara as directed by Matawalle killed many bandits leaders such as Halilu Sububu and major Leutenant of Bello Turji among others.
“Among major things done to Zamfara State by Matawalle is deployment of more military personnel to Zamfara especially in the rural communities across the state than ever before.
“As a result many communities were rescued from bandits,” He said.
According to him, Matawalle and Security agencies have been trying to ensure peace is restored in Zamfara.
“I think even last week, the Nigerian Army in a press released announced killing of Five bandits kingpin in this State.
Therefore instead of shifting blame on Matawalle why can’t they blame the Governor of Zamfara State who also has the responsibility to ensure lasting peace in Zamfara.
“We all know that Governor Dauda Lawal promised to end banditry activities within One month,” he explained.
