Renowned security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola, has amplified a bold call from Islamic scholar Sheikh Murtala Asada, urging President Bola Tinubu to investigate Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle, to demonstrate genuine commitment to combating insecurity.
Sheikh Murtala Asada, widely recognized for his relentless preaching against banditry and bad governance, issued this challenge on social media platform X. Asada’s demand follows recent accusations from notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji, who alleged that Mattawalle is complicit in supporting terrorism in Nigeria’s North West. Despite these allegations, Mattawalle has denied any involvement through his media consultant, Deyemi Saka.
During a fervent Sunday sermon in Sokoto, Sheikh Asada asserted that if the Federal Government was earnest about ending terrorism, they would have swiftly responded to these serious allegations. “Is Bello Mattawalle supposed to continue holding the position as the Minister of State for Defence up to this moment? Because all evidence has been proven against him, or has it not?” he asked, eliciting a resounding affirmative from the congregation.
The cleric highlighted the peril of negotiating with bandits without addressing their urban sponsors. “If you negotiate with ten bandits in the bushes, those within the cities will facilitate and kidnap hundreds more victims and send them back to the bushes. The bigwig sponsors are living in the cities,” he explained.
Sheikh Asada further emphasized the power of collective prayer in revealing these injustices. “Oh, Muslim Ummah, we must all dedicate ourselves to seeking divine intervention through prayers. It is due to these prayers that God is now exposing them,” he declared, referencing the recent confessions from Turji.
Addressing the Sokoto State Government, Asada urged prompt action against those suspected of aiding banditry. “What we are asking of the government of Sokoto is that they should hasten efforts to arrest and investigate those aiding and abetting banditry because I swear what is happening these days in the North of Sokoto is a cause of serious concern,” he said.
Concluding his sermon, Sheikh Asada led a prayer for divine intervention and justice. “We are praying to God to bring the situation under control. Nigeria is facing numerous challenges, and we are praying to God that all the atrocities confronting the country are dealt with. We pray to Allah that whoever is involved in putting us in this situation, may Almighty Allah put them in the same situation,” he proclaimed.
As the calls for accountability and action grow louder, the Federal Government faces increased pressure to prove its dedication to eradicating the roots of insecurity plaguing the nation.
Video source: @RigasaTV
https://x.com/ZagazOlaMakama/status/1817554311255064915?t=fa0pVndH9diS3bnTy0_y8Q&s=09
PIONEER NEWS 