A human rights activist based in Zamfara State, Abubakar Dahiru, has initiated legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an investigation into allegations of kidnappings and banditry against former Governor Bello Matawalle, who currently serves as the Minister of State for Defence.
The suit, filed on September 27, 2024, by Ojonimi Apeh on behalf of the plaintiff, names the President, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Inspector General of Police as defendants.
In the suit, Dahiru calls for the court to declare that it is imperative for the President to instruct the Inspector General of Police to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara State, particularly regarding the allegations surrounding Matawalle’s involvement in these crimes. The objective, he argues, is to secure and restore public safety in the state.
The 22-paragraph statement of claim outlines the alarming rise in armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, which Dahiru contends mirrors a similar trend seen throughout northwestern Nigeria. He claims that these criminal activities began as a minor issue but escalated significantly during Matawalle’s tenure as governor from 2019 to 2023.
Dahiru’s claims highlight the devastating impact of armed banditry and kidnapping on the Zamfara community, noting that these activities have left thousands of residents orphaned, widowed, homeless, and in a state of hunger. He asserts that these criminals not only extort money but also inflict physical and emotional torture on their victims.
The plaintiff expressed frustration over the government’s apparent inaction, stating, “Despite the open allegations of Bello Matawalle’s involvement with banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, no efforts have been made by the government to investigate him. Meanwhile, the spate of banditry and kidnapping continues to reign in Zamfara State to the detriment of citizens.”
As of now, the matter has not yet been assigned to a judge, leaving the fate of the case pending.
The outcome could potentially influence the ongoing challenges of insecurity in Zamfara and the surrounding regions.