Matawalle: Only God Can End Nigeria's Insecurity, Urges Support for Agencies

Nigeria's security challenges are so profound that only divine intervention can ultimately resolve them, according to Bello Muhammad Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Matawalle acknowledged that insecurity remains a pervasive national issue requiring a united front from both security agencies and the populace.

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It’s disheartening, and we must all rise to ensure that security agencies and Nigerians work together to end insecurity in the country. Insecurity does not discriminate based on political affiliation or religion. It can affect anyone.

He implored Nigerians to rally behind security forces and offer prayers for peace. Crucially, Matawalle cautioned politicians against leveraging the volatile security situation for political advantage. "It is disheartening, and we must all rise to ensure that security agencies and Nigerians work together to end insecurity in the country," he said. He stressed that insecurity does not discriminate, affecting individuals regardless of their political affiliation or religious beliefs.

Matawalle expressed dismay over the opposition's alleged tendency to exploit insecurity for political mileage, accusing them of portraying the government as a failure to deceive the public. "Unfortunately, some members of the opposition appear pleased with the situation. They do not care about the people. What matters to them is portraying the government as a failure for their own political interests and deceiving people into believing they alone can end insecurity," he stated.

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Unfortunately, some members of the opposition appear pleased with the situation. They do not care about the people. What matters to them is portraying the government as a failure for their own political interests and deceiving people into believing they alone can end insecurity.

The minister dismissed claims of the current administration's failure by pointing to the circulation of old and misleading videos on social media, some dating back to previous administrations or originating from other countries. "There are fake and recycled videos being circulated; some dating back to Jonathan’s administration and others from countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, yet they are being presented as incidents that occurred under this administration. That is not true," he asserted.

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There are fake and recycled videos being circulated; some dating back to Jonathan’s administration and others from countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, yet they are being presented as incidents that occurred under this administration. That is not true.

He assured Nigerians that security operatives are working diligently and around the clock to neutralize terrorists. However, he cautioned that this is a complex challenge that cannot be resolved overnight, drawing parallels with protracted security battles faced by even the world's most powerful nations. "We ask Nigerians to continue praying for us and supporting efforts to bring this challenge to an end," Matawalle concluded.

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Our security operatives are working tirelessly across the country. We have directed them to deal decisively with terrorists, but this is not a challenge that can disappear overnight. Even some of the world’s powerful nations have battled insecurity for years and are still confronting it.