Now that the man Nigerians admire and trust, General Musa, has been appointed Minister of Defence, one uncomfortable question refuses to leave my mind:

Will he truly be able to work with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle?

Before anyone answers that, let us remind ourselves who Oga Bello really is.

In 2021, when he was still Governor of Zamfara State, he boldly declared in a now-viral interview:
“Not all bandits are criminals.”
According to him, bandits only became violent because vigilante groups had cheated them.

But that is not even the most troubling part.

In November 2025, one of his former senior aides granted an explosive interview, alleging that Matawalle supplied 36 brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles to notorious bandit commanders. Not only that, the aide claimed he maintained communication with these commanders even after becoming Minister.

And then came the most shocking accusation of all.

His successor, Governor Dauda Lawal, publicly accused Matawalle of harboring bandit leaders inside the Government House and diverting the resources of the state to enable banditry. He even went further to call for Matawalle’s removal from the Defence Ministry if the Federal Government is truly serious about ending terrorism and banditry.

So I ask again

General Musa may be ready to fight for Nigeria
but is everyone around him ready to fight the same enemy?

And how exactly are these appointments made without any background checks whatsoever?

This leads to the question I keep asking: can we truly separate our government from the terrorists killing us?

-KAA
#kaa_truths

EXCLUSIVE: Pressure Mounts On Tinubu To Sack Matawalle As U.S. Insists On Defence Ministers’ Removal Before Security Collaboration

Resurfaced Video of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Saying “Not All B@ndits Are Cr+minals” Draws Fresh Scrutiny

EXCLUSIVE: Pressure Mounts On Tinubu To Sack Matawalle As U.S. Demands Defence Ministers’ Removal Before Security Collaboration

Pressure is intensifying on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss Defence Minister Bello Matawalle as the United States reportedly insists on a full overhaul of Nigeria’s defence leadership before committing to deeper security cooperation.
Meanwhile, former Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa on Monday — his first public engagement with the President since his retirement on October 24, 2025. The meeting has further fueled speculation about possible major security sector changes.

#NigeriaPolitics #TinubuAdministration #SecurityReforms

The Nigerian military has handed over 24 rescued students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

The girls, abducted by bandits and later freed, were presented on Tuesday night in Birnin Kebbi by Theatre Commander Major General Idris Warrah, following the directive of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

Warrah explained that troops quickly mobilised after the kidnapping, traced the victims to Bagega Forest, and sealed off the area before successfully rescuing all 24 girls without any deaths or injuries. He recommended full medical examinations to assess their health.

Governor Idris thanked President Bola Tinubu, the military, and security agencies for their coordinated efforts. He assured that the girls would undergo comprehensive medical checks before reuniting with their families and expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their prayers and support.

This sheikh is condemning the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for arriving in his home state of Zamfara with a convoy of over 70 vehicles and a massive military escort to protect him, while insecurity in the state continues to worsen.

Schoolgirls’ Abduction: Tinubu Directs Matawalle To Relocate To Kebbi
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi over the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in the state.

"Majority of Bandits Neutralised, Only Few Scattered Elements Remain"— Defence Minister,Matawalle.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has stated that most b+ndit leaders and their followers have been neutralised, noting that only a few scattered elements remain. He added that President Bola Tinubu has directed Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops to eliminate the remaining bandits in the North-West.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the Kebbi State Police confirmed the abduction of at least 25 students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, on Monday morning.

The attack by heavily armed bandits resulted in the d+ath of one staff member and injury to another, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi said. The incident reportedly occurred around 4am, with assailants engaging police officers in a gun battle.

Matawalle made his remarks during a visit to the Theatre Command Headquarters, following Juma’at prayers at the Command Mosque.

According to his Director of Information, Ibrahim Sule, he conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation for the troops’ courage, patriotism, and achievements in dismantling bandit formations across the Northwest.

He told the soldiers: “Most key bandit leaders and their foot soldiers have been neutralised through your gallant effort. What remains now are scattered elements, and the Commander-in-Chief has directed that these must be completely eliminated. You have every support needed logistics, equipment, welfare, and morale to finish the job.”

Matawalle was received by Theatre Commander Maj. Gen. Warrah Bello Idris, who briefed him on recent operations, including neutralising high-value targets and reclaiming communities previously under bandit control. The minister praised the troops’ resilience, calling their sacrifices the foundation for peace returning to Zamfara and neighbouring states.

Addressing officers and soldiers, Matawalle urged sustained vigilance and discipline, assuring them that total victory was near. “Your sacrifices will never be in vain. The President, the nation, and soon the people of this region will sleep peacefully,” he declared.

Wike Is Our Colleague And Could've Reached Out To Us, The Officer's Action Was Lawful -Bello Matawalle.

Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, has stated that the military officer involved in the recent altercation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike did not commit any offence and should be commended for his conduct.

According to a report by Punch on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Matawalle said Wike should have reached out to the Defence Ministry to resolve the issue instead of allowing it to escalate. He said the officer only acted on lawful instructions and did exactly what he was trained to do which is to be disciplined, loyal, and obedient to orders.

Matawalle stated that the officer did not violate any military rule and will not face any punishment for carrying out his duty. He said the young officer obeyed a lawful order and followed due process throughout the encounter. In his words: “He (Wike) is our colleague, and Wike could have reached out to us to resolve whatever issue. The officer’s action was lawful because he was trained to be disciplined, loyal, and obedient to orders

Wike vs Soldier: Officer Yerima broke no law – Minister, Matawalle.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, the naval officer captured in a viral video engaging in a heated exchange with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike did not break any law.

According to LEADERSHIP, Matawalle made his position known while speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa.

The Minister assured that the officer will not face any disciplinary action, stating that the Lieutenant was respectful while speaking with Wike.

There has been concerns over possible sanctions against officer Yerima after a video of his confrontation with Wike went viral on Tuesday.

Wike had visited a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District allegedly belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd) but was stopped by the naval officer, leading to a heated exchange.

Addressing the matter, Matawalle said the incident would have occurred if it was handled through proper channels.

“The minister should not have confronted him. Lieutenant Yerima was acting on orders. If Wike had any concerns, he should have spoken to his superiors or to me directly since I oversee naval affairs,” Matawalle said.

The Minister commended Yerima’s composure during the confrontation, describing his conduct as disciplined and professional.

Africa Facing Serious, Evolving Security Threats – Matawalle

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has raised alarm over the growing security challenges across Africa, stressing the need for digital solutions and stronger continental cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday, Matawalle — who represented Defence Minister Mohammed Abubakar — said Africa faces “serious, complex, transnational, and asymmetric” threats.

“Africa’s security must be driven by Africa’s solutions, leadership, and unity,” he declared.

Key Points:

Nigeria has played a leading role in peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and humanitarian missions across Africa.

African nations must invest in modern technologies like AI, cyberdefence, and indigenous military innovation.

Cooperation is vital: “No single country can scale the continent alone. We must share intelligence and build trust.”

Terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab remain major threats.

Matawalle emphasized that the future of warfare is digital, urging defence leaders to strengthen partnerships that uphold peace, development, and democratic values.

#AfricaSecurity #Nigeria #Defence #Matawalle #Terrorism #AI #CyberDefence #PeaceAndSecurity

Nigeria targets $12 billion annual revenue from electronic navigational charts: Matawalle.

Nigeria is targeting about 12 billion dollars annual revenue from chart validation, distribution and revenue management for international shipping clients by tapping into the 90 billion dollars global market for Electronic Navigational Chart.

The minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, made this known at the World Hydrography Day 2025 and West African Hydrographic Summit with the theme, “Seabed Mapping -Enabling Ocean Action”, on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the federal government had established the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts West Africa Regional Office and Training Centre.

He pledged Nigeria’s support for hydrographic capacity building, investment in technology, and stronger regional ties to ensure that no part of Nigerian waters remains uncharted, unsafe, or unsustainable.

According to him, sustainable development, especially in the nation’s coastal and riverine communities, depends on how well we understand and manage our marine environment.

“It is on this note that I announce the formal establishment of the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts West Africa Regional Office & Training Centre to be hosted by the National Hydrographic Agency here in Abuja.