“Matawalle Freed Captured Terrorist Haroo, Gave Him N3 Million” – Sokoto Cleric Sheikh Murtala Asada Alleges

In a viral video that has sparked widespread controversy, Sheikh Murtala Asada, a prominent Islamic cleric from Sokoto State, has made serious allegations against Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Asada claims that the minister facilitated the release of a notorious terrorist named Haroo, who controls over 500 firearms, provided him medical care, and gifted him N3 million.

According to Asada, Haroo was initially arrested after being shot in the leg. However, the cleric alleges that Matawalle, who was appointed as Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu on August 2, 2023, intervened by calling Ibrahim Lamorde, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), instructing him to release Haroo, referring to the terrorist as “his boy.”

Asada further alleged that Matawalle sent a representative named Bashar to secure Haroo’s release and later facilitated his transfer to a private hospital for treatment. In addition to the medical care, Asada claimed that Matawalle provided Haroo with N3 million.

The cleric, in his video, challenged anyone to dispute his claims, adding, “When you talk about Haroo, Bello Turji is nothing more than a little Almajiri.” He went on to assert that Haroo’s network of weapons makes him a far more dangerous figure.

The video has ignited calls for an investigation into the actions of the Defence Minister, raising concerns over alleged connections between government officials and terrorist groups.