A former governorship candidate in Zamfara and ex-Special Adviser to former governor Bello Matawalle, Sani Shinkafi, expressed his support for the Defense Headquarters’ investigation into the sponsorship of banditry in Nigeria’s North West. This initiative is crucial for ensuring lasting peace and security in the region, which has been plagued by violence, kidnapping, and property destruction.
Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the Executive Director of the group, emphasized the importance of accountability and urged that anyone found guilty in the probe should face legal consequences, regardless of their status. The organization also called for a broader investigation into politicians who exploit banditry for personal gain and misuse security challenges for financial corruption.
The group defended Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Matawalle, against politically motivated accusations linking him to banditry, highlighting the effective coordination between the Ministry of Defense and security agencies in combating the menace. They emphasized that previous defense ministers from Zamfara State served honorably without facing similar defamation.