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“As Governor, I Secured the Release of Thousands of Innocent Zamfara Indigenes Without Paying a Dime” – Dr. Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence

Dr. Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, has revealed that during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, he successfully secured the release of thousands of innocent citizens abducted by bandits, without paying any ransom. Matawalle stated that he utilized all available options, including dialogue, a strategy that was endorsed by key stakeholders within the state and ultimately proved effective.
The Minister made this disclosure on Monday during an exclusive interview with Channels TV, where he recounted his time as Governor and his current role as Minister of State for Defence. He emphasized that his engagement in dialogue with bandits was instrumental in safeguarding the people of Zamfara.
“I initiated reconciliation and dialogue with the bandits, and it worked. When I assumed office as Governor, I questioned why banditry and kidnapping were so rampant. I sought advice on the most effective way to address the situation, convening stakeholders’ meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, Fulani leaders, and vigilante groups. I listened to their perspectives and recommendations,” Matawalle explained.
“Following these discussions, I held consultations with the state’s security agencies, and based on the consensus from stakeholders, the decision was made to pursue dialogue with the bandits. I had no choice but to follow this course of action, as my priority was the protection of my people. I could not stand by while the state experienced incessant killings.”
Matawalle highlighted that the dialogue yielded remarkable results, leading to the recovery of large quantities of ammunition and the release of thousands of abducted individuals. “The records are there to prove it,” he added.
He also pointed out that he was not the first to adopt this approach, noting that previous leaders, including former President Buhari and other governors in the North West and North Central regions, had also engaged in dialogue to secure the release of kidnapped individuals.
“People seem to forget that even President Buhari, in his efforts to secure the release of the Chibok girls, resorted to dialogue. This is a globally recognized practice. My objective was clear: to save my people from being killed and to secure the release of innocent citizens. Israel is currently doing something similar with Palestine, negotiating for the release of hostages.”
Matawalle expressed no regret for his actions, stressing that he had successfully secured the release of numerous individuals, including foreign nationals, without paying any ransom. He also referenced the release of a relative of the current Zamfara State Governor, which was achieved through the same dialogue process.
“A younger brother of Dauda Lawal, the current Governor of Zamfara, was kidnapped seven months before I became Governor. Initially, a ransom of 500 million Naira was demanded, which Dauda Lawal refused to pay. However, after we initiated dialogue, his brother was released unconditionally without any payment. This is a matter of public record, and the people of Zamfara can attest to it.”
Matawalle dismissed accusations linking him to bandits, attributing such claims to political blackmail driven by hatred. “People can say whatever they want, but they have no proof. If anyone has evidence of my involvement with bandits, they should present it. I wasn’t the only one who pursued dialogue with these groups. The former Governor of Niger State, Abu Sani Bello, did the same, as did Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and the Governor of Katsina.”
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SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group argues that the suspension is unlawful and violates her fundamental right to freedom of expression.
SERAP is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio to reverse the six-month suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative privileges. The organization also wants an injunction preventing the Senate from imposing further disciplinary actions against her for expressing her views.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she reportedly spoke without permission and rejected a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. As part of her suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.
In its suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP contends that the suspension deprives Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of political representation. The organization also argues that penalizing a senator for exercising free speech creates a chilling effect on other lawmakers.
“No one should ever be punished for speaking without permission,” SERAP stated. “The Senate should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not suppress them.”
The group cites constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties, including Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
SERAP maintains that the Senate Standing Orders cannot override constitutional guarantees of free speech. The lawsuit emphasizes that restricting a senator’s expression undermines democracy and violates Nigerians’ right to receive information and participate politically.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
News
Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani

Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of members of market associations and numerous women groups in Kaduna state at the weekend, occupied Kaduna metropolis in a peaceful demonstration where they reiterated their loyalty and support to the administration of
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protesters who alleged that they had bitter experiences during the El-Rufa’i administration, said they would remain where Governor Uba Sani stood and advised the citizens of Kaduna not to be deceived by doing the contrary.
They recounted their ordeals during the 8 years of the previous administration, alleging that hundreds of market shops belonging to individuals were either seized, demolished or confiscated, a situation that triggered ill health in many traders and business owners leading to paralysis and multiple deaths of their colleagues.
“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”
“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.
He explained that “this incumbent Governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds .”
He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.
” Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.
Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader,Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him,” we have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”
“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”
“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.
Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
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