Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, has dismissed recent attacks against him as politically motivated efforts by individuals whose ambitions for 2027 are threatened by the government’s security reforms.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle described the attacks as coordinated, malicious, and intended to undermine his reputation and downplay his work in strengthening Nigeria’s security system.

“Public service demands courage, consistency, and a commitment to truth,” he said, noting that false allegations and malicious narratives are being spread by political rivals seeking to score cheap points.

Matawalle accused his critics of exploiting sensitive security matters for propaganda. “Attempts to drag my name into unrelated events are nothing but desperate political propaganda,” he added.

He emphasized that banditry in Zamfara is a long-standing problem, not one that arose under his leadership. “Banditry was not a problem that was invented under my watch… it had grown over decades,” he said.

During his tenure as governor, Matawalle said his administration introduced structured security measures, set up high-level committees, enhanced intelligence, prosecuted criminals, removed compromised traditional rulers, and implemented disarmament programs with military support. Thousands of abducted victims were rescued, and 11 Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining were deported.

“Anyone trying to distort this record is playing politics with the pain of innocent citizens,” he added. He further noted that Zamfara went more than a year without major security incidents due to these measures.

Matawalle also recounted facing harassment while working on the rescue of kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi, stating, “I received harassment and intimidation… but I refused to bow to pressure. Humanity comes first.”

He insisted that those attacking him are motivated by fear of ongoing defence reforms and the 2027 political race, reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “No amount of propaganda will influence his decisions,” he said, while praising Nigeria’s security agencies for their professionalism in rescue operations.