A former Zamfara State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, has strongly dismissed claims suggesting that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has any connection to banditry activities.
According to Gossip News Now, Dosara described the allegations as politically motivated narratives that have repeatedly surfaced during periods of heightened political tension.
In a statement released on Sunday, the former commissioner questioned the timing of the accusations, noting that they appear to resurface whenever the government intensifies efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.
Dosara argued that the claims are not new and have circulated in Zamfara’s political environment for several years without producing concrete proof.
He maintained that the allegations have been examined multiple times in the past but have never resulted in any formal indictment or official recommendation of wrongdoing.
The former commissioner also raised concerns about the manner in which critics continue to present the accusations.
According to him, individuals who frequently repeat the claims—including political opponents and former associates—have not pursued formal channels to substantiate their allegations.
Dosara pointed out that if credible evidence existed, those making the accusations could have approached law enforcement or anti-corruption agencies for investigation.
Among the institutions he referenced as possible avenues for formal complaints were:
- the Nigeria Police Force,
- national intelligence agencies,
- the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and
- the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
He stressed that none of the individuals making the allegations have taken steps to file official petitions or initiate legal action through these institutions.
Dosara suggested that the recurring nature of the accusations makes them appear more like political maneuvering than genuine attempts to address security concerns.
He further described the claims as part of what he called “Zamfara’s political theatre,” arguing that the narrative has been recycled repeatedly since 2019.
Gossip News Now reports that Dosara also defended the security record of Matawalle during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
He stated that the administration strengthened security operations by increasing deployments and improving intelligence collaboration among relevant agencies.
The former commissioner also addressed criticism of the dialogue initiative once adopted in Zamfara as part of the state’s strategy for addressing banditry.
According to him, that approach had originally received backing from various stakeholders, including federal authorities, security professionals, and regional leaders.
He explained that the dialogue strategy was later discontinued after updated intelligence assessments suggested alternative approaches were needed.
Dosara argued that critics are now portraying those discussions negatively, despite the fact that similar engagement strategies were previously used in several states across the Northwest and North-Central regions.
Commentary and Analysis
The debate surrounding insecurity in Zamfara reflects broader political and security tensions affecting parts of northern Nigeria.
Accusations involving public officials and security crises often become part of political discourse, especially when leadership roles shift or when elections approach.
Dosara’s response highlights the importance of evidence-based claims in matters involving national security and public trust.
Analysts note that when allegations are circulated without formal investigation or legal action, they can deepen political divisions while offering little clarity about the real causes of insecurity.
At the same time, the discussion about dialogue strategies in Zamfara illustrates how governments sometimes experiment with different approaches—ranging from military action to negotiation—when confronting armed groups.
Ultimately, long-term stability in the region will likely depend on coordinated security efforts, credible intelligence, and sustained socio-economic development aimed at reducing the root causes of violence.
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