APC members protest at DSS Headquarters, demand probe of Tinubu’s Minister
A group of protesters, organized by the APC Akida Forum (AAF), has called for an investigation into the actions of Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, following serious allegations made against him.
On Tuesday at around 10 a.m., the demonstrators gathered outside the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, where they submitted a formal petition demanding a thorough probe into the matter.
Musa Mahmud, the chairperson of the APC Akida Forum, explained that the petition highlighted concerns raised by Dauda Lawal, the Governor of Zamfara State.
In his remarks, Lawal accused Matawalle of having links to banditry, including claims that the minister facilitated ransom payments for the abduction of the children of a senior government official in the state.
Governor Lawal’s accusations were made public in September, when he alleged that Matawalle used government resources, including the state governor’s residence, to arrange ransom payments for the kidnapped children of a permanent secretary.
In the petition, Mahmud urged the DSS to take swift action and investigate the matter, emphasising that such a probe is essential not only to protect the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens but also to preserve the integrity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said the minister needs to clarify several issues, including “his connections with dangerous individuals like Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru”.
“Failing to address these issues could hurt our party and the reputation of relevant security agencies,” he said.
“It (security) encompasses matters of life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara state, the north-west, and Nigeria as a whole.
“Kachalla Auwalun Daudawa is a bandit who abducted the Kankara students in 2020. There are heavy allegations that Matawalle bought a house for him in the Damba area of Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state.”
