Ex-Aide Accuses Tinubu’s Junior Defence Minister Matawalle Of Using Police Hit Squad, Colluding With Bandits In Zamfara

A former aide to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has levelled explosive allegations against his former principal, accusing him of colluding with security operatives to eliminate perceived enemies and protect allies, as well as facilitating dealings with notorious bandit leaders during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.

Matawalle, who served as governor of Zamfara State until 2023, was appointed Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023.

The allegations were made by Musa Muhammad Kamara, also known as Musa Kamarawa, in an interview with a Hausa-language media platform, rHi Hausa, excerpts of which have since circulated widely on social media.

Kamara, who identified himself as a former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Matawalle when the latter was governor of Zamfara State, claimed that the minister “has police officers working for him who kill whomever he orders and spare whomever he chooses.”

“My name is Musa Muhammad Kamara. I am a citizen and also a citizen of Zamfara State. I am a former SSA to the former governor of Zamfara and now Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle Maradona,” Kamara said at the beginning of the interview.

According to Kamara, his troubles began in 2021 when he was invited by security operatives for questioning over allegations that the Zamfara State Government had procured vehicles for armed bandits operating in the state.

Another grave allegation has been leveled against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by his former aide, Musa Kamarawa. In a second video, Kamarawa alleged that Bello Matawalle has police officers working for him who kill whomever he orders and spare… pic.twitter.com/DWfZ0VORd0

— My Deen My Swag 💫 (@AM_Saleeeem) December 21, 2025

“In 2021, security operatives called me. Hassan Gimba and Hussein Gimba called me. At that time, I personally went all out to help because I was invited, not that they arrested me,” he said.

Kamara said the invitation followed claims attributed to a cleric, Mallam Murtala Asada, that the government had purchased vehicles for bandit leaders, including Bello Turji and Halilu Sububu.

“They heard that Mallam Murtala Asada said that the government bought vehicles for Bello Turji and Halilu Sububu and other bandits,” he explained.

In what amounts to one of the most damning aspects of his claims, Kamara said he confirmed to security operatives that vehicles were indeed procured for bandit leaders during Matawalle’s governorship, describing it as part of the government’s engagement strategy at the time.

“I explained to them that I’m SSA to the Governor and indeed the governor bought vehicles and gave it to them. But Halilu’s car developed a fault. Halilu openly demanded for another from the governor and he sent another one to him,” Kamara alleged.

He further claimed that he personally facilitated the procurement of another Hilux vehicle for the bandit leader, adding that criminal gangs operated with impunity during that period.

“I was the one that got them another Hilux,” he said.

Kamara expressed frustration that, according to him, what was once openly discussed within government circles was later reframed as a criminal conspiracy when political tides shifted.

“But what we do not understand is why some people are now trying to twist the story and turn it into something else, as if there is some hidden agenda,” he said.

Throughout the interview, Kamara repeatedly swore by the Holy Qur’an to affirm the veracity of his claims, invoking divine punishment if he was lying.

“I swear by the Holy Qur’an that I’m speaking the truth. Whoever swears falsely on the Qur’an will face Allah’s punishment. Allah does not support lies sworn upon the Qur’an,” he said.

He went further to challenge Matawalle to publicly deny the allegations under oath.

“I swear by Allah that everything I am saying about Bello Matawalle is the truth, and may Allah grant him good health if I am lying. But if Dr. Bello Matawalle denies this, let him also swear on the Qur’an that what I am saying is false, because these things are happening before our eyes,” Kamara added.

Escalating his accusations, the former aide alleged that Matawalle colluded with elements of the Nigeria Police Force to target him after he began speaking out.

“He colluded with the Nigerian police. He was surprised when I exposed everything and asked why I would expose what is between him and me,” Kamara claimed.

“Since then, he conspired with the police. Meanwhile, he normally sent them on errands to kill whoever he wants to kill and free whoever he wants to be free. Since then, they have turned everything against me,” he said.

Kamara also alleged that his encounters with law enforcement and the courts were marked by what he described as persecution rather than prosecution.

“If you could watch all the videos they released about me, they always cut where I mentioned that I’m SSA to Governor Matawalle. They have taken me to court three times, yet they refused to come as witnesses. All they want is media trials,” he alleged.

Addressing claims that he maintains ties with the Zamfara State Government or its current leadership, Kamara denied any ongoing relationship, insisting he has been shut out since Matawalle left office.

“People are amazed that I am accusing the Matawalle. By Allah, there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. I swear, since the day I left the Government House when Matawalle was governor, I have not gone back,” he said.

“By Allah, people have been forbidden from going to the Government House. By Allah, I have no connection whatsoever with Dauda, or any Dauda, or with the Zamfara State Government,” he added.

Kamara offered a convoluted account of his legal ordeals, claiming that cases against him were manipulated to protect powerful interests.

“The first case when I was released was when Matawalle was the governor of Zamfara State, not during Dauda. I was charged during Dauda’s government, and when I was arrested, they said Dauda was with me,” he said.

He further alleged that Matawalle later used federal institutions to quietly terminate the case.

“And what is astonishing is that the same Bello Matawalle who set those people on me is the one who colluded with the DPP of the Federal Ministry and with the police to bury his secret, to keep it silent, by removing the case and transferring it to the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite,” Kamara claimed.

According to him, the case eventually collapsed due to lack of evidence. 

“We went to court again and again; there was no evidence, no witness, and the case was discharged and I returned home,” he said.

Despite this, Kamara said he fears for his life, alleging that powerful forces still want him silenced permanently.

“But what I understand is that they do not want justice; they only want, at any time, to kill me and keep it silent,” he said. “So, if they kill me, they kill a mere body in this world; but truly, let them wait to see what Allah will do.”

In a defiant closing, he framed his ordeal as a lesson in survival and faith. 

“Whatever you do in this world, you will leave it behind. Even if you kill me, I have honour, by Allah,” Kamara said. 

“I have seen what I thought was possible, and I have seen what I thought was impossible become possible. I learned the education of life; enough for living in this world.”