Of War On Banditry And Matawalle’s Return To Sokoto
By Abubakar Nasiru
The return of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to Sokoto marks a significant step in the ongoing battle against banditry in the northwest.
His reappearance on the frontline is not just a return in name but a continuation of the momentum built in the campaign to rid the region of the scourge of banditry.
Under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the war against insecurity in the northwest is seeing renewed vigor, and Matawalle’s involvement has become a cornerstone of this effort.
The northwest region, particularly states like Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto, has long been ravaged by banditry, leaving thousands displaced and threatening the livelihoods of countless others.
However, recent developments show that the tide is turning, largely due to the intensified offensive led by the nation’s security forces. Central to this success has been the killing of key bandit leaders such as Halilu Sububu, who, along with other notorious insurgents, recently met their end in the latest crackdown on their operations.
These victories are not coincidental but the result of well-coordinated strategies developed by Matawalle, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and the leadership of Nigeria’s security apparatus.
With Matawalle’s deep knowledge of the inner workings of checkmating banditry—gained during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, where he spent much of his time grappling with these criminal elements—he brings a unique perspective to the fight.
His understanding of the local dynamics, the networks of the bandits, and their modus operandi has given him an edge in crafting effective countermeasures.
Putting Halilu Sububu, who was the most notorious of all the bandit-warlords down was a very strategic move. For although, he’s rumoured to be very quiet and less popular, he’s more dangerous than all his famous cohorts, like his boy, Bello Turji, colleague Dogo-Gide and his age-long friend, late Kachalla Ali or Ali Kawaje. All these kingpins addressed him as ‘Oga’ meaning boss or leader, due to his network and influence in the making of bandit-leaders in the Northwest.
Therefore, the targeting of, and ambushing of Sububu is where Matawalle’s familiarity with the terrain and the psychology of the bandits becomes invaluable.
During his time as Governor of Zamfara, he developed a reputation as someone who could not only confront the bandits militarily but also engage them diplomatically when necessary. This dual approach helped to establish ceasefires at certain points but also showed him not just the limitations of negotiation in the face of the ruthless ambitions of these criminal groups, but a reverse view into how their minds work. That knowledge is now serving him well as Minister of State for Defence, where he has adopted a more decisive stance—one focused on eradication rather than compromise.
His return to Sokoto, therefore, spells doom for the bandits who once terrorised the region. The mere mention of Matawalle’s name is now enough to strike fear into the hearts of these criminals, who for too long prowled the land with impunity. It would seem that under Matawalle’s insightful guidance, the tables have turned, and it is the bandits who now live in fear, fleeing their strongholds as Nigerian troops close in on their hideouts.
Yet, the Minister’s reputation as a fierce opponent of banditry has grown not only because of his strategic insights but also because of his unyielding resolve. When President Tinubu issued a directive for an intensified onslaught on the bandits, Matawalle took it as a personal mission because his home state of Zamfara which he loves dearly continues to grapple with activities of bandits like Bello Turji.
His return to Sokoto is therefore, a clear signal that him and Nigeria’s security apparatchik is serious about enforcing the President’s order. The end looms large for the bandits, who had grown accustomed to thriving in the loopholes of previous security efforts, who have now found themselves with no room to maneuver under this new, fortified offensive.
Matawalle knows that cutting down bandit warlords alone won’t halt their dastardly activities. This may be the reason why the current operations have not only focused on the elimination of high-profile targets like Sububu but also by the disruption of the logistics and support networks that sustain these criminal enterprises.
The coordinated efforts of the military, air force, and local intelligence services have weakened the bandits’ ability to regroup and mount significant offensives of their own. In this sense, Matawalle’s return has reinforced the message that it is no longer business as usual for the bandits in the northwest.
Matawalle’s contribution is also evident in the morale boost among Nigeria’s security forces. His deep involvement and hands-on leadership have invigorated the troops, who now feel more motivated than ever to bring an end to the reign of terror in the northwest. His background as a former governor, with firsthand experience of the havoc these bandits can wreak, allows him to empathize with the soldiers on the ground, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Moreover, Matawalle’s understanding of the socio-political landscape of the northwest has imbued him with the insights to craft strategies that go beyond brute force. He is working in tandem with local leaders to win the trust of communities that have suffered under bandit occupation, ensuring that intelligence flows smoothly from civilians to the security forces. This community engagement is critical in a region where bandits often blend into the population to escape detection.
In the broader scheme, the northwest is on the verge of total liberation, thanks to the resolve of Matawalle and the nation’s reinvigorated security forces. President Tinubu’s administration has made it clear that security is a top priority, and with figures like Matawalle leading the charge, the region can finally hope for lasting peace.
The return of Dr. Matawalle to Sokoto is not just symbolic; it is a reinforcement of the federal government’s determination to rid the northwest of banditry once and for all. The results speak for themselves, seeing how the northwest is inching closer to freedom from the terror that has gripped it for years. With Matawalle at the helm of this offensive, the end of banditry in the region is not just a possibility, it is an inevitability.
Nasiru writes from Abuja
