Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle | File Image
By Stella Woke
Zamfara State-based human rights activist, Abubakar Dahiru, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, seeking the investigation of a former Governor of the State and current Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, in relation to allegations of kidnappings, and banditry.
Defendants in the suit filed on behalf of the plaintiff by Ojonimi Apeh are the President, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Inspector General of Police.
In the suit filed on September 27, 2024, the Appellant wants the court to declare that it was imperative for the President to give directions to the IG, to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara State and in particular the allegations surrounding the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, in relation to banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State.
This is with a view to securing and restoring public safety in Zamfara State.
In a 22-paragraph statement of claim, the plaintiff said that there was presently high wave of armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State just like other parts of North Western Nigeria.
Also read: Bandits hit Zamfara highway, abduct travellers
He added that the activities of the hoodlums, “which started like a mustard seed in Zamfara State grew to an alarming and unprecedented proportion during the period between 2019 and 2023 when Matawalle was the Governor of Zamfara State.”
The Plaintiff said that armed banditry and kidnapping have rendered thousands of the people of Zamfara orphans, widows, widowers, homeless, hungry, due to the activities of criminals who maim people, extort their monies, kill their loved ones and subject them to all manner of physical and emotional torture.
He said that despite the allegations as to the involvement of Bello Matawalle with banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, no efforts had been made by government to investigate him with a view to coming out with the truth or falsity of these allegations while the spate of banditry and kidnapping continue to reign in Zamfara State to the detriment of citizens.
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