19.11.2025
Minister of Defence Bello Matawalle has been accused of sponsoring bandits during his time as Zamfara State governor.
According to a whistle blower who is a former political aide of Mr. Matawalle, the bandits continue to hobnob with the former boss.
It was gathered that during tenure on the saddle in Zamfara Matawalle, funded and equipped terror gangs whom he used for his political ambition. Matawalle was said to have provided “36 brand new Hilux vehicles” and bought stolen livestock from bandit groups.
“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,” the Whitsle blower told Sahara Reporters.
“These appointments gave me the chance to know many of these terrorists and their activities,” he said.
“He used 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 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.”
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.”