By Mario Deepromoter
On Tuesday, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle defended President Bola Tinubu’s appointment decisions, asserting that the President has not shown bias against the North.
Matawalle emphasised that President Tinubu has strategically placed northerners in crucial security roles to address the region’s security challenges, particularly in the North-West.
Matawalle made these remarks during a visit to the Operation Hadarin Daji troops at the 8 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
The visit, as Matawalle explained, was prompted by a directive from President Tinubu, who, while in China, instructed them to travel to Sokoto to engage with the troops.
Matawalle said: “We are here in Sokoto State on the instructions of President Tinubu, who directed the Ministry of Defence with all its artillery to come to Sokoto and review the operations, especially that of Operations Hadarin Daji.
“The President is worried about what is happening in the North-West. He called me and the Chief of Defence Staff from China and directed us to immediately suspend whatever we were doing and come down to Sokoto.
“He said we should come and supervise the operation of our troops currently going on in the North-West, under the leadership of Operation Hadarin Daji, to see our troops, to review the operations and to make sure that all their needs are provided so that they can go and fight those criminals.
“Nigeria is not a Banana Republic; Nigeria is a country that the Constitution governs, and you all know Mr President knows the problem of the North, and that is why he appointed his security team from the North, including myself and the Defence Minister.
“He gave us this responsibility because he knows our major problem is security. The President carefully selected northerners and appointed them to key positions. Look at me; I am from Zamfara State, and the Chief of Defence is from Kaduna State. The Minister of Defence, Badaru, is from Jigawa State; the National Security Adviser is from Adamawa State, while the Minister of State for Police Affairs is also from the North.
“So, he carefully selected us because he knows our problem is insecurity. So we are here to flush out those bandits that have been terrorising our region.”
The minister also spoke to the troops, urging them to remain focused despite recent events in the state.
He was likely referring to the recent attacks by Bello Turji’s bandits, which resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and the destruction of two armored vehicles.
He said: “Do not be discouraged by the recent incidences. The GOC will be given good support. I urge you to keep on doing a good job. We are here to support you to flush out bandits and criminals in this zone.”
The minister also visited the wounded soldiers recovering in the hospital, where he offered them his support and reassured them that the federal government stands with them during their difficult time.
He announced a donation of 5 million naira, which will be distributed among the injured soldiers to assist them with their recovery.