A former Commissioner of Information in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Dosara, has dismissed the renewed allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to banditry, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
Dosara, who served under Matawalle during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State, said the claims resurfacing amid the recent escalation of insecurity across the country were part of a calculated attempt to tarnish the minister’s reputation.
According to him, those behind the allegations are individuals and groups seeking political relevance ahead of the next election cycle. He argued that instead of politicising national security challenges, stakeholders should unite to support the government’s efforts to restore peace.
Matawalle has recently faced renewed public scrutiny as banditry and violent attacks intensify in parts of northern Nigeria, but his allies insist the accusations are unfounded.
Dosara urged security agencies to remain focused on tackling insecurity and called on the public to disregard what he described as smear campaigns aimed at distracting the minister from his duties.
