Hundreds of unconsolable women and youths from Zamfara State yesterday (Tuesday, November 12), stormed the headquarters of the Department of Security Services (DSS), in Abuja to protest against banditry and other security challenges ravaging the state.
The demonstrators, who arrived at the DSS headquarters in 12 long buses at about 10.15 in the morning, were however prevented from gaining access into the facility by operatives.
The protesters blamed their immediate past Governor, Bello Matawalle, for the heightened activities of criminals, which they claimed was a fallout of his alleged romance with bandits.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the leader of the group, Mallam Musa Mahmud, expressed disappointment that President Bola Tinubu’s government has not given his minister of state for defence a marching order despite the damning evidence presented by his successor, Governor Dauda Lawal.
Mahmud, who is also the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Akida Forum, pleaded that Matawalle should be probed and not given a soft landing owing to his loyalty to the president.
He said: “The issues here are not just political problems. They are matters of life and death, economic survival and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara State that should not be handled lightly.
“We want the DSS to conduct a thorough investigation to save millions of Nigerians and safeguard the integrity of the president and the intelligence community. The agency is in the best position to advise President Bello Tinubu to relieve Bello Matawalle from his position to face an investigative panel and clarify his connections with dangerous individuals like Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa and Ardon Zuru.
“These are not abstract concerns. Zamfara citizens have the right to live free from the constant threat of banditry and violence. These issues should be at the forefront of any reasonable Nigerian who means well for the country.”
