A security analyst and legal practitioner, Marvin Ibe, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing growing concerns over national security and public confidence in the country’s defence leadership.
Ibe made the call during a press conference held on Friday in Abuja, where he aligned himself with recent recommendations by U.S. congresswoman Kimberly Daniels regarding Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to him, restoring both local and international confidence in Nigeria’s military structure is urgent, stressing that any form of suspicion surrounding key security officials must be addressed without delay.
He noted that the lives of Nigerian soldiers are as valuable as those of civilians, adding that unresolved allegations against top officials could undermine the nation’s fight against terrorism.
Ibe referenced ongoing accusations and counter-accusations involving Matawalle, particularly claims tied to his tenure as the former governor of Zamfara State. He alleged that testimonies and circulating videos from former aides suggested past interactions with bandits, including negotiations and alleged concessions.
Describing such claims as troubling, Ibe argued that they contribute to a perception crisis that could weaken public trust in the defence system.
He further echoed Daniels’ position that internal threats pose a significant danger, warning that any compromise within the security framework could have devastating consequences.
“To rebuild confidence among Nigerians and the international community, decisive action must be taken,” he said, urging the president to either sack or redeploy Matawalle as a minimum step.
Ibe also emphasized that intelligence-sharing efforts with international partners, particularly the United States, should be taken seriously, describing them as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy.
He cautioned against dismissing such external recommendations, insisting they could play a key role in addressing the country’s security crisis.
In addition, Ibe called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in identifying and prosecuting financiers of terrorism, noting that tackling the root causes of insecurity remains essential to achieving lasting peace.
The call comes amid heightened insecurity across parts of the country and increasing scrutiny of the government’s approach to national defence.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has yet to respond officially to the growing calls for Matawalle’s removal.
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