A growing number of Nigerians have called for the resignation of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following the resurfacing of an old video in which he appeared to justify the actions of some bandits.
The video, originally recorded by Channels TV in 2021, shows Matawalle — who was the Governor of Zamfara State at the time — making comments that many Nigerians now find troubling.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja after meeting with then President Muhammadu Buhari, Matawalle told journalists that “not all of them are criminals” when asked about bandit activities in Zamfara.
“Not all of them are criminals. If you investigate what is happening, and what made them to take the laws into their hands, some of them, sometimes were cheated by so-called the vigilante group.
“They normally go to their settlements and destroy property and take their animals. They did not have anyone to speak with, so sometimes, they go for revenge. When the vigilante group attacks them, they go for reprisals. That is exactly what happened,” he said in the video.
The clip returned to prominence shortly after the resignation of Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru.
Below are some reactions from X, formerly Twitter:
@A6udawud: “Matawalle always approach bandits with negotiation rather than fighting them. He negotiated for the kebbi girls’ release. Tinubu should take out Matawalle, who turns the Defence Ministry into a campaign hub.”
@tkayose: “The now minister of state of defence former zamfara state governor matawalle once said. No wonder the APC Tinubu govt keep using bandits in place of terrorist. Why hasn’t matawalle and Gumi been arrested?”
@engr_shaibu_: “Matawalle said bandits aren’t criminals. Just misunderstood victims. Now he’s Minister of Defence. This empty head and terrorists sympathizer is now the one writing our security policy. He needs to be sacked immediately!”
@RealQueenBee__: “You who he was, and still gave him the job. I blame you not him.”
