The moment after Musa Kamarawa — former aide to the minister of state for Defense accused him of engaging in hot romance with terrorists — a PR and damage control video of Bello Turji — a known serial killer, notorious arsonist and wanted terrorist leader emerged to counter the narrative and water down held views that the minister is a key ally of rogue elements. Kamarawa revealed that the minister has an established robust relationship with notorious bandit leaders — most of whom are on wanted list of government. He confirmed handing over millions of naira including gifts of vehicles to bandits leaders on behalf of Matawalle amongst others. With Turji’s intervention in a case where he is overtly complicit, Nigerians only need to connect the dots to actually understand why insecurity has remained a big challenge.
The notorious bandit and kidnapper, in the said video confirmed that he had met with Matawalle at the Government House, Gusau, but denied receiving any cash gift. For Turji to confidently affirm meeting with the minister when he was governor but denied cash inducement is a choreographed smoke-screen. He was simply being smart by half. Nigerians need no soothsayer to read in-between the lines. Something must be amiss if out of the whole sane people in the north, it was Bello Turji’s who volunteered to absolve a government official accused of identifying with terrorism.
Terrorism is a fast growing industry of criminality with multi-faced intersections, sustained by politicians, the rich and powerful business moguls who hide under the crisis to make millions, if not billions of naira. While regurgitating on the evils of insecurity, one wonders if the mean-hungry-looking, shabbily dressed young men in the bushes wielding AK-47 can afford the riffles in addition to, the convoy of motor cycles and Hilux Vans used in executing their crimes without external support and or funding.
Matawalle’s relationship with the bandits is traceable to his period as governor. An old video of him defending bandits reaffirming that all of them are not bad is trending online. Earlier, the governor of Zamfara state Dauda Lawal had accused the minister of fueling, aiding and sustaining terrorism in the state and urged him to resign. The minister never addressed the merits of the allegation rather he claims like every drowning Nigerian politician that he is a victim of blackmail powered by political enemies. However, he had in some breathe agreed having dealings with bandits but maintained it was an official government-backed accord comprising major, external stakeholders in pursuit of enduring peace in Zamfara.
At the moment, the government of president Tinubu seems to be dilly-dallying on relieving Mattawalle of his job. Which moral ground does the government stand on after allowing a man whose relationship with terrorists is in the public domain to still remain in office? A man who spent meagre state resources appeasing murderous criminal gangs lacks the public support to remain in office after his senior colleague in the same ministry had resigned on account of failure, despite citing health ground as reason for exit.
In fact, allowing him stay this little longer in office does not speak well of governments seriousness in dealing decisively with terrorism. In sane climes, nobody has time to dissipate energy on why a man with obvious moral burden occupying a public office should not resign. He knows what to do and does it without prompting. Instead of quietly walking away, Mattawalle is in court to shut the media and vociferous critics up from spilling more. A rolling stone they say gathers no moss. Therefore, what is Mattawalle actually hiding?
One prominent snag the government does not seem to identify or it simply ignored at this critical moment is the disposition of the National Security Adviser – Nuhu Ribadu towards terrorism and general insecurity in the country. He is widely acknowledged to support non-kinetic approach which favours negotiation, pardon and reintegration of criminal terrorists into to the society. It is not a coincidence that both Ribadu and Mattawalle, prefer the same approach which has jeopardised and weakened the fight against insecurity, emboldened criminal gangs, substantially worsened the situation and eroded public confidence.
Recently, a vigilante group in Kwara state who are said to be members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association were armed with AK-47 riffles by the office of the National Security Adviser. Before now, many vigilante groups especially in Plateau and Benue were denied access to arms despite the carnage wrecked on communities by terrorists. Therefore, providing one group with government fire power while denying others is unfair and disproportionate in the fight against insecurity. This is bias shown without deep retrospection. A bad precedent and an abuse of office. If Nigeria wants the world to take her serious, Ribadu’s moderate stand on terrorism and the enormity of damage it has caused to the country must be situated side by side the current intentions of government.
Nigerians need to clearly understand that banditry and terrorism are not the only twin evil fueling insecurity in the country. The scramble for lucrative mineral deposits among elites is a danger deeper than what we think or even see. The powerful, rich and mighty steal premium mineral resources around the melee of insecurity. Everyone is against criminality, but a land in desolation as the Igbo say benefits certain titled men in the community. It therefore, goes to say that some hefty men are beneficiaries of these criminal tendencies.
For over a decade, terrorist have embarked on bold and unfettered kidnappings and killing spree of innocent citizens and destruction of properties. The negative effects of this war is felt in almost everywhere in the country. Yet government do not seem to have the balls to face it head on. Before now, fingers were pointed at certain group of individuals as financiers of terrorism industry in Nigeria. The United Arab Emirate (UAE) had earlier convicted individuals linked to terrorism in Nigeria and shared their nanes with the authorities, but it remains a mystery why nothing was done. Many security experts and public commentators have as well opened the cans of warm surrounding the menace and pointed ways forward but the authority kept foot-dragging.
What should be done? President Tinubu should take a decisive action in terms of taking deliberate reformative strategic security actions in the interest of the nation. Remove and prosecute anyone in government found complicit in aiding and abetting terrorism or seen to be constituting a stumbling block to war against it. Lastly, all terrorists must not be allowed to live. The wages of murder is equally death. Their financiers should be arrested, tried, convicted and jailed. Simple!
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, lecturer, Department of Mass Communication and Head, Internationalisation and Partnership, Coal City University, Enugu
