The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has demanded an urgent, National Assembly-led investigation into serious allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, to various bandit leaders operating across Zamfara State and the broader North-West region. The group expressed profound alarm over what it termed “grave and disturbing revelations” stemming from alleged confessional statements made by Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to Matawalle during his tenure as Zamfara State governor.

According to the CNG, these allegations transcend typical political disputes, striking directly at the heart of Nigeria’s national security and raising serious questions about potential high-level complicity in the rampant banditry devastating northern communities. Kamarawa’s alleged testimony reportedly details claims of funds being transferred to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, the procurement of dozens of Hilux vehicles for criminal groups, and the provision of extensive logistical support, including housing and cattle, purportedly facilitated by political figures in Zamfara and neighboring states.

The CNG warned that if these claims are substantiated, they would constitute “state-enabled sabotage” of Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations. The coalition emphasized that such actions, if proven, would indicate a deeply entrenched network of political alliances with terror groups, capable of undermining years of military efforts and leaving vulnerable communities exposed to widespread violence.

The group also criticized attempts to dismiss the allegations through