WorldStage– Former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has dismissed all allegations against him, explaining that the decision to engage in dialogue with bandits was a desperate but necessary strategy aimed at saving innocent lives.
He also defended his 2019-2023 approach in Zamfara, stating that engaging in dialogue with bandits was a globally accepted practice for saving lives and was recommended by the state’s security agencies, religious, and traditional leaders at the time.
He emphasized that the approach was not taken in isolation, stressing that the security agencies were fully aware of the process and actively involved throughout its implementation.
Matawalle has consistently dismissed allegations that he negotiated with or sponsored bandits, defending his past actions as a legitimate “peace dialogue” that yielded positive results.
He maintains that all negotiations ceased when the bandits reneged on the agreement.
He argues that the policy led to recovery of weapons and ammunition; release of nearly 1,000 abducted persons without ransom payments; and significant drop in banditry attacks, which allowed normal life to resume in affected areas.
He has vehemently denied accusations of sponsoring or having ties with bandits, challenging his accusers, including current Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, to provide evidence.
He also mentioned that other governors in the region, such as those of Niger and Sokoto states, had also engaged in similar talks.
However, the allegations persist, with current Governor Lawal accusing Matawalle of being “fully involved” with the bandits and claiming to have evidence presented to the National Security Adviser and the President.
A notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has confirmed participating in peace meetings with Matawalle’s administration but denied receiving any substantial cash or vehicles as personal inducements.
