Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has denied allegations of aiding banditry, calling on accusers to provide evidence in his involvement.
He challenged the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal to swear an oath with the Quran that he has no connection in banditry affecting the state.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, he defended his decision to engage in dialogue with bandits, a practice he says was supported by several governors and has led to the recovery of abducted persons and ammunition in Zamfara.
They should bring any proof of that,” the minister said.
”Because I dialogue, it was not only I, remember all the governors dialogue, the governor of Niger state dialogue with bandits, the governor of Sokoto did the same. while only me because it is Zamfara.”
”Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas”
Matawalle also indicated that his accusers are all involved in the activities they have alleged him of.
”Let me remind you I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening that if I am happy or if I am part of it or if I know those doing it or if I am collaborating with them God should not give me one-second grace”
“I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath that means they are part of it.”
