“Vehicles Were Bought and Given to Bandit Leaders, Some Shielded from Arrest” — Ex-Aide Accuses Tinubu’s Minister Matawalle of Funding Banditry

A former Senior Special Assistant in the Zamfara State Government, Musa Muhammad Kamara, has accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, of supporting armed bandits during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State. Matawalle was appointed Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Kamara, speaking in Hausa, alleged that vehicles and cash were distributed to known bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu, Bello Turji, and Ado Aleru. He insisted that he personally handled some of the transactions.

“There is a clip I saw where the Mallam said that vehicles were bought. Wallahi, Summan Tallahi Billahi, vehicles were bought and distributed. Vehicles were given to Kachalla Halilu, Turji, Ado Aleru; those motorcycles were truly bought and given out,” Kamara said.

He also claimed that funds were disbursed to bandit groups across all 14 local government areas of Zamfara State. “This bank settlement record shows all 14 local governments of Zamfara State and their names. There is none of them that did not receive ₦3 million. When the money was added, it totalled ₦42 million, and it entered my account as a settlement of ₦28,020. Each local government I know received its amount, and the money was also given to the youths,” he said.

Kamara further alleged that Matawalle intervened to hide a notorious bandit leader, Haru Dole, after his arrest. According to Kamara, Dole, reportedly in possession of over 500 AK-47 rifles, was arrested at Gusau Hospital and taken to Abuja by security operatives. Kamara said Matawalle sent his aide, Dr. Bashir Maru, to take Dole and conceal him. “Matawalle sent his aide, Dr. Bashir Maru, to the hospital to take the man and hide him, and that was done,” Kamara claimed.

The former SSA also said he personally oversaw the purchase and renovation of a house allegedly gifted to terror kingpin Bello Turji. “Billahi, Allazi La Ilaha Illa Hu; a house was bought. I was the one who bought the house… The house was bought, completed, and handed over,” he stated.

In addition, Kamara claimed he managed ₦88 million intended for the purchase of cows to be distributed to residents during Sallah. He said many of the cows were stolen or diverted, though some were delivered. “I, Musa, was given ₦88 million to give to Kachalla Halilu and Kachalla Turji. I took the money to them for buying cows… Everyone who came forward received those cows. These things truly happened,” he said.

Kamara appealed to whistleblower Malam Murtala Bello Assada to support him as a primary witness, emphasizing that he plans to take the matter to court with evidence. “I swear by Allah’s law, there are things that people do not know, and I will reveal them in court. The Mallam himself does not know some of them. I will say them because this has now reached the stage where justice must be done for the people,” he said.

The allegations, which Kamara said are already circulating in the media, have reignited debate about Matawalle’s tenure as Zamfara governor and his conduct as Minister of State for Defence. Kamara insisted that his disclosures are necessary to ensure accountability and justice for the people of Zamfara State.