Zamfara Youth Network Dismisses Minister's Alleged Bandit Connections
The Zamfara Youth Network (ZYN) has strongly rejected a recent publication that attempted to connect the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to bandits operating in northern Nigeria. The group described the allegations as malicious falsehoods designed to tarnish the minister's reputation.
During a press conference held in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, youth representatives completely dismissed claims that Matawalle had provided 36 Hilux vehicles to bandits or maintained communication with terrorists.
Recycled Lies and Dead Bandit Leaders
Comrade Musa Usman, speaking on behalf of the youth network, explained that the story published by SaharaReporters contained recycled lies that security agencies had already investigated and dismissed years earlier. He emphasized the factual inaccuracy of the claims by pointing out that every single bandit leader mentioned in the report has been neutralized by military operations currently being directed by Matawalle.
"Dead men cannot drive Hilux vehicles, and they cannot chat on WhatsApp," Usman stated emphatically, highlighting the logical flaws in the allegations. The youth leader further asserted that no such vehicles were ever handed to bandits during Matawalle's tenure as either governor of Zamfara State or as minister.
Political Motivation Behind Allegations
The Zamfara Youth Network accused nervous politicians who are losing influence in Zamfara and across the North-West region of sponsoring the false report. According to the group, these same politicians were previously involved in making monthly payments to bandit leaders during their time in office.
"Now that those bandit leaders are being eliminated one by one, they are running scared and looking for any lie to regain relevance," Usman declared. He suggested that individuals sidelined by the people are now using foreign-based blogs to fight their political battles ahead of the 2027 elections.
The youth network maintained that Zamfara State is currently experiencing its best period of peace in over a decade, attributing this improvement to Matawalle's aggressive campaign against terrorists. They also claimed that the alleged "whistle-blower" referenced in the SaharaReporters story does not exist in any government records.
Meanwhile, Matawalle continues to fulfill his ministerial duties, recently delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's message to Nigerian troops in Zamfara State. During this visit, the minister urged soldiers to eliminate the remaining bandits terrorizing the northern region, demonstrating his commitment to restoring security in the area.
