Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State governor, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has been accused of providing vehicles, cash, and protection to notorious armed bandit leaders during his time as governor. The allegations were made by Musa Muhammad Kamara, a former Senior Special Assistant in the Zamfara State Government.
Matawalle, who was appointed Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023, is currently facing renewed scrutiny after Kamara released a video detailing the alleged transactions.
In the video obtained by SaharaReporters, Kamara — speaking in Hausa — claimed that vehicles and money were handed out to some of the most wanted terror figures in the region, including Kachalla Halilu, Bello Turji, and Ado Aleru. He insisted that the accusations circulating in the media are accurate, adding that he personally supervised some of the dealings.
According to him, “vehicles were indeed bought and distributed” on Matawalle’s instructions, and motorcycles were also acquired for the bandit leaders. He further alleged that substantial sums of money were shared with bandit groups across all 14 local government areas of Zamfara State, stating that each LGA received ₦3 million — funds he said passed through his own account.
Kamara also recounted an incident involving a feared terror commander, Haru Dole, said to control over 500 AK-47 rifles. He alleged that after Haru Dole was arrested at a hospital in Gusau and taken to Abuja, Matawalle dispatched his aide, Dr. Bashir Maru, to retrieve and hide the suspect.
The former SSA went on to claim that he handled the purchase and renovation of a house allegedly gifted to bandit kingpin Bello Turji, describing how the property was acquired and handed over under directives he received.
Kamara also addressed claims about ₦88 million meant for purchasing cows for Sallah celebrations. He said he was given the funds to deliver to Kachalla Halilu and Kachalla Turji for the livestock purchase, but many of the cows were later stolen or diverted. Despite this, he insisted he delivered the cows to government officials as instructed.
He expressed readiness to testify in court, urging whistleblower Malam Murtala Bello Assada — who is currently facing threats — to stand with him. Kamara vowed to provide evidence to support all his claims, stressing that many details of the alleged misconduct are not yet publicly known.
According to him, bringing these revelations to light is essential to ensure justice for the people of Zamfara State.
