An Arewa group said it has observed that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been consistently using the name of his predecessor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who currently serves as the Minister of State for Defence, to deflect blame on the insecurity bedeviling the state.
The group, in a statement by its president, Comrade Abubakar Hassan Kankia, said no right-thinking person will believe this absurdity and gross abuse of social media platforms calculated to dent the good image and integrity of the Minister.
Abubakar said, “We would have ignored this reckless attack on Matawalle emanating from a political hireling and blackmailer masquerading as an online outfit to cover the woeful failure of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal in providing security and good governance to the people of the state.”
The statement partly read: “Lawal exaggerated insecurity during Matawalle’s administration to receive cheap publicity and popularity that propelled him to government. Having assumed office, he is overwhelmed by the burden of leadership and has no clue on how to tackle banditry in the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, since Dr. Matawalle was appointed Minister of Defence for State, he has been working tirelessly with the office of the National Security Adviser, service chiefs, and Northern States Governors in finding solutions and ending insecurity in Zamfara State in particular and the nation in general.
“Previously, the Funtua to Gusau highway was a deathtrap where bandits killed and abducted people for ransom daily. The Minister directed the immediate deployment of military personnel and checkpoints along the highway, making it safe and secure for road users.
“The same is applicable on the Dambaza to Maradum town where bandits used to kill and kidnap innocent people for ransom. Matawalle equally directed the immediate deployment of military personnel and checkpoints that have made the highway safe for travellers.”
It could be recalled that armed bandits attacked Zurmi Local Government headquarters, burnt down the police station, killed police officers, destroyed military operational vehicles, and kidnapped innocent citizens.
“The Honourable Minister of Defence for State, in his characteristic patriotism and pragmatism, deployed more military personnel to crush the bandits. The military operation recorded tremendous success.
“Several armed bandits were neutralized, and the area is now safe and secure as the people go about their lawful business without fear of bandits’ attacks.
“Equally, when students of the Federal University of Gusau were abducted by bandits, Matawalle, a compassionate leader, quickly directed the deployment of soldiers and Air Force fighter jets to rescue them.
“To the glory of God, most of the students and construction workers abducted with them were rescued unharmed.
“It is unfortunate that Governor Lawal, who used insecurity in Zamfara State as propaganda to mislead the people during his campaign that he would restore security within his 100 days in office, has now abandoned the people to their fate while he junkets across the globe, leaving his constitutional duties of providing security and delivering democracy dividends to citizens,” the group stated.