The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) and the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA) have called for the immediate redeployment of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the diplomats argued that Matawalle’s removal is necessary to remove “perceived internal obstacles” that may hinder the country’s fight against banditry and terrorism.

UN-WCD Secretary-General, Ambassador Prof. Tunji John Asaolu, presented an assessment report on Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts, praising the growing military partnership with the United States. He described joint operations as precise, disciplined, and effective in weakening insurgent strongholds.

However, Asaolu warned that continued attacks—such as the recent Kasuwan-Daji bandit attack in Niger State, which reportedly killed over 30 people—highlight gaps in the country’s security architecture.

“Our findings show that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has exceeded expectations in confronting terrorism, internal bottlenecks could undermine these efforts,” Asaolu said.

He added that allowing officials under scrutiny to remain in sensitive roles risks damaging public trust and operational effectiveness. “Redeployment is not merely a personnel matter; it is a critical step toward restoring credibility, accountability, and effective governance within the Defence Ministry,” he concluded.