By Adamu Abdullahi
The Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has assured residents that the Federal Government will defeat banditry and other criminal gangs threatening communities in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
Matawalle spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at an interactive meeting with former members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, former commissioners, special advisers and other political associates who served in his administration between 2019 and 2023.
The meeting, which focused on security, grassroots mobilisation, development and the political future of Zamfara, came amid persistent attacks by armed groups in parts of the state and the wider North-West.
Matawalle said protecting lives and property remained the fundamental responsibility of government, stressing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had made national security a major priority.
“Security of lives and property is the major concern of every serious government in any country. That is why the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has focused strongly on securing the nation,” he said.
The minister said President Tinubu remained committed to tackling insecurity despite the economic and political challenges facing the country, adding that the President had continued to engage security authorities and stakeholders on measures to restore peace.
He urged political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities to support ongoing security efforts, saying the fight against banditry could not be left to the military and other security agencies alone.
According to him, political stakeholders have an important role to play in mobilising communities and strengthening cooperation with security agencies to help restore stability in affected areas.
Matawalle also used the meeting to rally his political associates behind President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, charging them to take the message of the Tinubu Again Movement to the grassroots and mobilise support across Zamfara and beyond.
He said sustained political support for the Federal Government would help consolidate its programmes on security, economic development, peace and national unity.
Earlier, leaders of the groups represented at the meeting commended Matawalle for maintaining what they described as a strong political structure in Zamfara several years after leaving office as governor.
They pledged their support for Tinubu’s administration and said they were prepared to mobilise their various political structures for the President’s 2027 campaign.
The leaders also said they would take the achievements and programmes of the Tinubu administration to the grassroots, while promoting Matawalle’s leadership and continued interest in the welfare of his supporters.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of continuing security challenges in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger and sustained operations against armed groups.
