ZAMFARA State State governor, Dauda Lawal, has pointed fingers at the Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, as the brain behind banditry in Northern Nigeria.
Lawal made the claim on TVC’s Politics Tonight programme on Wednesday night, citing credible information.
“From all the information we’re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry issue,” the governor stated.
This revelation comes amidst unending activities of bandits in Northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states.
Lawal’s accusation is not the first time Matawalle has faced allegations of sponsoring banditry.
Notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji previously echoed similar claims in a video statement in July.
Turji had insisted that Matawalle has been involved in supporting terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Despite Matawalle’s denial through his media consultant, Deyemi Saka, who labelled the claims as unfounded, Turji had maintained his stance.
Eighteen-Eleven Media