News
Matawalle To Amaechi: Stop Fueling Violence Or Face Fire
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has strongly condemned what he described as reckless and inciting remarks made by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, concerning the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at a recent conference in Abuja, Amaechi allegedly declared that Nigerian politicians must “steal, maim, and kill” to remain in power—an assertion Matawalle denounced as not only insulting to Nigerians but also a dangerous attempt to radicalize the youth and destabilize national security.
Reacting to the statement, Dr. Matawalle said:“It is both reckless and dangerous for a former public office holder to make such inflammatory remarks. At a time when the government is working tirelessly to consolidate national unity and security, no responsible leader should fan the flames of violence and political unrest.”
He further warned against any attempt to mislead young Nigerians with a distorted narrative of violence and anarchy, emphasizing that “Nigeria is a sovereign nation governed by laws, not a jungle where power is seized through brute force.”
Let me make it clear: security agencies are on high alert. Any individual or group found inciting violence or attempting to destabilize this nation will face the full force of the law,” he added.
The statement, signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, stressed that the government will not tolerate any form of subversive rhetoric aimed at undermining national unity or inciting lawlessness.
Matawalle reminded Amaechi that power is earned through democracy, not through intimidation, violence, or lawlessness. He reiterated that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to upholding peace, democratic values, and national security.
“President Tinubu’s commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation is unwavering. Having experienced both military rule and democratic governance, he would never undermine the very democracy he has fought to uphold,” he stated.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements within a short period, Dr. Matawalle confidently asserted that President Tinubu will secure a decisive victory in the 2027 presidential election.
He urged Nigerians to place their trust in Tinubu’s leadership and disregard the remarks of Amaechi and his associates, whom he described as “politically irrelevant and out of touch with the realities of national development.”
“Amaechi and others who believe they can manipulate our youth into chaos should rethink their actions. This government will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to disrupt the peace and stability of Nigeria,” he added.
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with security agencies, will continue to monitor activities aimed at disrupting public peace and will ensure that anyone found culpable faces severe consequences, Matawalle concluded.
Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.
Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Nigeria is set to experience one of the highest increases in food insecurity worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, compiled by agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, raised fresh concerns over worsening hunger levels driven by insecurity, economic hardship and declining humanitarian funding.
According to FAO findings, about 4.1 million additional Nigerians could fall into acute food insecurity in 2026, placing the country among those with the largest increases globally.
Reacting to the development, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Mr Alvaro Lario, said “the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to contain”.
“We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” warning that the situation is placing growing pressure on global stability.
FAO noted that about 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute hunger in 2025, with conditions expected to remain severe into 2026.
In Nigeria, the situation is being worsened by continued insecurity in key farming regions, rising inflation and limited access to food.
According FAO projections, over 34 million Nigerians may experience crisis level hunger between June and August 2026, during the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Hussein Gadain, said the combined impact of armed conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and cuts in global aid funding is pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that without immediate action, millions more could slide into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
Prosecutors in Florida, United States, are seeking the d3ath penalty against a woman accused of k!lling both of her ex-husbands on the same day.
Susan Avalon faces charges in the December 17, 2025 k!llings of Timothy Fletcher in Tampa and David Scott in Bradenton, according to authorities.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said it will pursue the d3ath penalty in the case tied to Fletcher’s d3ath.
The investigators said the case began when Manatee County deputies responded to Scott’s shooting and alerted Tampa police.
Scott was still alive when officers arrived and told them the shooter could have been his ex-wife, authorities said.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing a vehicle leave the scene. Investigators later located Avalon in Citrus County.
When questioned about her ex-husband, Avalon allegedly responded, “Which one?” according to authorities.
That response led investigators to request a welfare check on Fletcher, who was found fatally shot at his home in Tampa.
Authorities allege Avalon k!lled Fletcher before traveling to Bradenton and shooting Scott.
Avalon is charged with first-degree premeditated m8rder in Fletcher’s death and two counts of second-degree m8rder in Scott’s k!lling.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
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