₦airaland Forum

EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC Former Aide

The whistleblower, whose identity SaharaReporters is withholding for security reasons, spoke in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, detailing a sprawling web of political, financial, and operational links between Matawalle and terror kingpins in Zamfara State.

A former senior aide to Nigeria’s Defence Minister and former Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle, has accused him of continuing to maintain direct contact with notorious terrorist commanders whom he allegedly funded, equipped, and politically mobilised during his time as governor.

The "mobilisation" had included providing “36 brand new Hilux vehicles” and buying stolen livestock from bandit groups.

The whistleblower, whose identity SaharaReporters is withholding for security reasons, spoke in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, detailing a sprawling web of political, financial, and operational links between Matawalle and terror kingpins in Zamfara State.

The former aide revealed that these connections have continued even after Matawalle became President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of Defence.

According to the source: “I was appointed as SA to the Zamfara State Governor, Dr Bello Matawalle. My village is among the areas affected by banditry activities. So, my role as SA gave me the opportunity to meditate between the government and bandits.” His role, he said, exposed him to the inner dealings between the Matawalle administration and terror leaders.

“These appointments gave me the chance to know many of these terrorists and their activities,” he said. He alleged that Matawalle now wants to silence him “because I knew all the atrocities he carried out with bandits during his tenure as Governor.”

Buying Stolen Cows Directly From Bandits
The former aide claimed the governor routinely purchased rustled cattle from terrorists at discounted prices, especially during festive seasons.

He said bandit leaders complained that when they took stolen animals to the market, owners often identified them, prompting Matawalle to buy directly.

“He uses to buy rustled animals from bandit with cheaper rate during sallah festive season… he decided to buy directly from them. And he bought them at flat rate… N150,000 each.”

He alleged that Matawalle regularly invited bandit commanders into Government House despite their involvement in killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement.

“He used to invite bandits to the Government House Zamfara during his tenure and discussed even political issues with them and how they would compel the communities to vote for him for the second tenure.”

36 Hilux Vehicles For Terrorist Leaders
One of the most explosive allegations is that the former governor procured dozens of government vehicles for leaders of terror groups.

“He bought 36 brand new Hilux vehicle to the bandits leaders in Zamfara State including Kachallah Turji and late Halilu Sububu among others.” According to him, the people of Shinkafi were aware of these dealings: “Even the people of Shinkafi Zamfara State they are aware.”

Continued Contact As Defence Minister
The source said Matawalle’s relationship with terror leaders has continued even after joining Tinubu’s cabinet.

“After he left the office as governor and his appointment as minister of defence, it is suprise that he is chatting these people. They always contact him for help.”

He specifically named one notorious commander: “There was one Bello Tugoje… they use to communicate through Whatsapp. The same guy is very close to the minister. And he was in Zamfara State payroll during his tenure as governor.”

He added that Matawalle still communicates with notorious terror kingpins: “He also communicates with Bello Turji and Kachallah Haru Dole via Whatsapp.”

Election Influence And 2027 Plans
The former aide claimed the minister maintains the relationships for political leverage. “Those of us that are close to him, we are surprised why would a minister be doing this but it is clear why he is holding them.”

He alleged that Matawalle used bandit groups to secure votes in 2023 and intends to do so again in 2027. “Because they are still using them during political periods and 2027 election is coming.”

He added that many terrorists voted for the ruling APC on Matawalle’s orders: “Many of these terrorists voted for APC in 2023 because the minister was the governor and he told them to vote for APC and Tinubu also won them, because of their votes.”

SaharaReporters days ago reported that Matawalle claimed that most bandit leaders and their foot soldiers had been neutralised, adding that "what remains now are a few scattered elements."

He had added that President Bola Tinubu has directed troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to eliminate the remaining bandit elements in the North-West.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that no fewer than 25 students were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, early Monday morning.

The attack, carried out by heavily armed bandits, left one staff member dead and another injured, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi.

The incident reportedly occurred around 4am when the assailants stormed the school and engaged police officers on duty in a fierce gun battle.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State Matawalle during a visit to the Theatre Command Headquarters, conveyed Tinubu’s appreciation for the troops’ patriotism, courage, and “remarkable successes in decimating bandit formations across the Northwest.”

He told the soldiers: “Mr. President specifically asked me to tell you that you have done exceedingly well.

“Most of the key bandit leaders and their foot soldiers have been neutralised through your gallant effort. What remains now are a few scattered elements, and the Commander-in-Chief has directed that these remnants must be wiped out completely.

“He assures you of every necessary support logistics, equipment, welfare, and morale to finish the job,” he said.

Matawalle was received by the Theatre Commander, Major-General Warrah Bello Idris, who briefed him on recent operational achievements, including the neutralization of high-value targets and the recovery of communities previously under bandit control.

How many of these famous airlines can you recognize just by their tail fin?

helinues:
The good thing is, apart from people from your region, others have seen how horrible you are so forget about their votes.

EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu's Newly Appointed INEC Chairman Prof Amupitan Wrote Legal Brief In 2020 Report Confirming Genocidal Killings In Nigeria; “Legal Brief: Genocide (Silent Slaughter) in Nigeria – The Implications for the International Community."

“The care of human life and happiness is the only legitimate object of good government." ( Jeffersonian Credo ).

EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu's Newly Appointed INEC Chairman Prof Amupitan Wrote Legal Brief In 2020 Report Confirming Genocidal Killings In Nigeria; “Legal Brief: Genocide (Silent Slaughter) in Nigeria – The Implications for the International Community."

“it is a notorious fact that there is perpetration of crimes under international law in Nigeria, particularly crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.”

“While the country is trying to manage the concerns engendered by the clamour for self-determination, two violent extremist groups have emerged to exacerbate an already deteriorating situation… Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen, responsible for an orgy of bloodbath and massive displacements in many States across Nigeria.”

Accusing the Nigerian government of constitutional failure, asserting that the neglect of the state to prosecute alleged perpetrators had made international intervention “a moral and legal necessity.”

“The victims of the crises are mainly the Christian population and the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria. Hence the need for remedial actions under the international law.”

Tracing the historical roots of Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflicts, Amupitan wrote that the “drive for Islamisation of Nigeria through the jihad of 1804” had now reappeared through modern extremist movements. He described the Fulani-led jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio as a “full-blown Islamization agenda”, arguing that the same ideological undercurrent still drives much of the current violence in northern Nigeria.

“Following the 19th century jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio, the Hausa territories were conquered and the Sokoto Caliphate established. The success of the jihad was one of the religious triumphalism that aimed at expanding the caliphate to other parts of Nigeria in the irrevocable bid to dip the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.”

The caliphate thereafter became a dominant force in the north,” and that subsequent governments had continued to protect its influence through political manipulation and systemic favoritism. The legal brief also accused Nigerian authorities of deliberately avoiding the term “genocide” to escape international accountability:

“States are skeptical of naming ‘genocide’ the way it is to avoid committing resources to stop it and to punish perpetrators. Such States easily find cover under the principle of complementarity. Concealing genocide becomes a strategy to guard sovereignty and protect ego, at the expense of innocent lives.”

The alleged involvement of the State and non-State actors in the commission of crimes under international law in Nigeria has complicated an already complex situation.

Consequently, the situation beckons the urgent need for a neutral and impartial third-party intervention, especially the UN and its key organs, the military and economic superpowers.

International law supersedes absolute state sovereignty in cases of genocide and crimes against humanity...."

Prof. Amupitan concluded his paper by making a direct appeal to the United Nations and global powers to intervene in Nigeria’s crisis:

"....CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria...."

EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu's Newly Appointed INEC Chairman Prof Amupitan Wrote Legal Brief In 2020 Report Confirming Genocidal Killings In Nigeria; “Legal Brief: Genocide (Silent Slaughter) in Nigeria – The Implications for the International Community."

“it is a notorious fact that there is perpetration of crimes under international law in Nigeria, particularly crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.”

“While the country is trying to manage the concerns engendered by the clamour for self-determination, two violent extremist groups have emerged to exacerbate an already deteriorating situation… Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen, responsible for an orgy of bloodbath and massive displacements in many States across Nigeria.”

Accusing the Nigerian government of constitutional failure, asserting that the neglect of the state to prosecute alleged perpetrators had made international intervention “a moral and legal necessity.”

“The victims of the crises are mainly the Christian population and the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria. Hence the need for remedial actions under the international law.”

Tracing the historical roots of Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflicts, Amupitan wrote that the “drive for Islamisation of Nigeria through the jihad of 1804” had now reappeared through modern extremist movements. He described the Fulani-led jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio as a “full-blown Islamization agenda”, arguing that the same ideological undercurrent still drives much of the current violence in northern Nigeria.

“Following the 19th century jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio, the Hausa territories were conquered and the Sokoto Caliphate established. The success of the jihad was one of the religious triumphalism that aimed at expanding the caliphate to other parts of Nigeria in the irrevocable bid to dip the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.”

The caliphate thereafter became a dominant force in the north,” and that subsequent governments had continued to protect its influence through political manipulation and systemic favoritism. The legal brief also accused Nigerian authorities of deliberately avoiding the term “genocide” to escape international accountability:

“States are skeptical of naming ‘genocide’ the way it is to avoid committing resources to stop it and to punish perpetrators. Such States easily find cover under the principle of complementarity. Concealing genocide becomes a strategy to guard sovereignty and protect ego, at the expense of innocent lives.”

The alleged involvement of the State and non-State actors in the commission of crimes under international law in Nigeria has complicated an already complex situation.

Consequently, the situation beckons the urgent need for a neutral and impartial third-party intervention, especially the UN and its key organs, the military and economic superpowers.

International law supersedes absolute state sovereignty in cases of genocide and crimes against humanity...."

Prof. Amupitan concluded his paper by making a direct appeal to the United Nations and global powers to intervene in Nigeria’s crisis: