The ongoing insecurity in Nigeria continues to drain the public’s patience, and a resurfaced video of Bello Matawalle, current Minister of State for Defense and former Governor of Zamfara State, has reignited outrage.

The video, recorded in 2021, shows Matawalle defending bandits terrorizing Zamfara while he was governor. Speaking at the State House in Abuja after a meeting with then-President Muhammadu Buhari, he claimed that “not all of them are criminals” and suggested that some bandits turned to crime in retaliation against vigilante attacks or societal injustices.

Public Backlash

Nigerians on social media are demanding his resignation, arguing that:

• No one who sympathizes with criminals should hold a defense position.
• His remarks appear to justify terrorism and banditry, undermining efforts to address insecurity.
• Some speculate political motives, alleging that Matawalle could be in contact with bandit leaders to influence the 2027 elections.

Reactions from Citizens

• Francis Afolayan questioned how someone could call terrorists “good men” and still lead the defense ministry.
• Jacob Kenny Idowu called Matawalle a bandit sympathizer, stressing that no circumstance justifies committing crimes.
• Other social media users highlighted ongoing insecurity and the troubling possibility that officials may have links with criminals.

The Core Issue

The video has intensified concerns over:

1. Leadership credibility in managing Nigeria’s security challenges.
2. Public trust in officials tasked with national defense.
3. Political implications, given fears that banditry could be exploited for electoral purposes.

Bottom line:
The resurfaced video portrays a senior government official as defending armed criminals, fueling public doubt about his suitability to oversee national security amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis.