On Tuesday, the APC Akida Forum, a faction within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), staged a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, demanding an investigation into the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over alleged connections to banditry. The forum, which operates from Kaduna State, expressed deep concerns regarding the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, which has faced significant challenges due to rampant banditry.
The protest was ignited by allegations made by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who has publicly accused his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, of not only funding bandits but also misappropriating state funds during his time in office. Governor Lawal has further claimed that Matawalle maintained direct links with known bandit leaders, raising serious questions about his role in the state’s ongoing security crisis.
At the protest, Mallam Musa Mahmud, the leader of the APC Akida Forum, called for an independent and thorough investigation by the DSS into the serious allegations against Matawalle. Mahmud emphasized that the protest was not intended to tarnish the minister’s reputation but rather to protect the interests of millions of Nigerians and uphold the credibility of the president and the security agencies.
“We are not here to vilify the minister but to ensure the safety of Nigerians and to maintain the integrity of our security forces,” Mahmud stated. He urged the DSS to recommend to President Tinubu that Matawalle be relieved of his position so that he could face a formal investigative panel. The protestors also called for clarity regarding Matawalle’s alleged associations with individuals such as Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru, who have reportedly been linked to banditry in the region.
The APC Akida Forum stressed that the issue at hand went beyond political interests and was a matter of national security, human rights, and public safety. They concluded their demonstration by calling for Matawalle to step down voluntarily and submit to a comprehensive investigation, which they argued would protect both his personal reputation and the integrity of the APC. The protest underscored the urgency of addressing the allegations in order to ensure justice and restore public trust in the nation’s security framework.
