Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has sounded it loud and clear that the appointment of his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, as the Minister of State for Defence has not brought any advantage on the state that has been grappling with insecurity over the years now.
Speaking during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday, noted with concern that few weeks ago, bandits went to Matawalle’s hometown and killed many people.
Reacting to whether Matawalle’s office as Minister of State for Defence has helped in any way to combat the menace of banditry plaguing Zamfara, the Governor said, “It is always interesting when this Minister of Defence thing comes up. Yeah, he is Minister of State, Defence, but of what benefit to us? Just about few weeks ago, bandits went to his hometown, killed many people, what has he done about it? Yes, we have Minister of Defence but of what benefit to Zamfara State?”
The governor further lamented the uninspiring attitude of the police and the military in combating the menace of banditry plaguing the state, pointing out that such disposition was responsible for the creation of the state security outfit, Community Protection Guards in January.
He pointed out, “That is the reason why I set up the Community Protection Guards because I have control over them and they are doing exceptionally well. I don’t control over the military; I don’t have control over the police. I don’t have control over the civil defence. No matter what you tell them, they don’t take instructions from you; they take instructions from the heads of their agencies”.
Governor Lawal restated that the state-backed security was not created to go after political foes but to protect the people from being killed every day.
Matawalle who was Zamfara governor from May 2019 to May 2023 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2023 governorship election,was defeated by Lawal, the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a first-time governorship candidate.
