Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said that ultimately, only God can bring an end to Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, describing the problem as a national one requiring collective effort from security agencies, citizens, and community leaders.
The former Zamfara State Governor spoke during an interview with BBC Hausa, reacting to renewed killings and abductions across the country. He urged Nigerians to keep praying for peace and to support security operatives battling terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Matawalle stressed that insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of political party, religion, or region, and called on citizens to rise above politics to support efforts at restoring peace.
“It’s disheartening, and we must all rise to ensure that security agencies and Nigerians work together to end insecurity in the country. Insecurity does not discriminate based on political affiliation or religion. It can affect anyone,” he said.
He urged citizens to share useful information with security agencies and avoid actions that could heighten tension.
The minister also accused opposition figures of exploiting the security situation for political gain, claiming some appear pleased about the crisis because it helps them paint the government as a failure.
“That is why we have urged the opposition to stop using insecurity to incite people. It is a challenge that can happen to anyone, and no Nigerian is happy about it. Unfortunately, some members of the opposition appear pleased with the situation. They do not care about the people. What matters to them is portraying the government as a failure for their own political interests and deceiving people into believing they alone can end insecurity,” he said.
His comments come amid heightened concern following attacks in Oyo State, where gunmen abducted 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, and in Borno State, where armed groups abducted 42 pupils from schools in Mussa, Askira-Uba LGA.
Fake Videos Allegation
Matawalle further alleged that fake and recycled videos — some from the Jonathan administration and others from countries like Burkina Faso and Mali — were being circulated online to suggest insecurity had worsened under President Tinubu’s government.
“There are fake and recycled videos being circulated, some dating back to the Jonathan administration and others from countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, yet they are being presented as incidents that occurred under this administration. That is not true,” he said, urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing it.
He maintained that security operatives had been directed to deal decisively with terrorists, though he cautioned that the problem would not vanish overnight, noting that even powerful nations have battled insecurity for years.
Matawalle called for unity and sincerity from political actors, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and citizens, saying government would keep strengthening security operations while relying on public cooperation to expose criminal elements and restore peace.
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