13.6.2026
Nigeria’s minister for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, said it is only God that can take insecurity away from the country.
He argued during an interview with BBC Hausa that the problem of banditry and terror transcends tribe and religion, and it requires the cooperation and prayers of all Nigerian to bring insecurity to an end.
“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.
“It is only God that can bring an end to this insecurity, alongside our collective prayers and efforts. It should not be used as a tool to condemn others or score political points,” he stated.
He said politicians and activists must not score cheap political points with the spates of kidnapping and killings by bandits and terror gangs.
“It is 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 said.
He submitted that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been made to look bad and seemingly unable to tackle the issue of insecurity.
According to him, critics and content creators give a distorted impression of the country’s security situation.
“There are fake and recycled videos being circulated, some dating back to previous administrations 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 said.
Matawalle, however, assured Nigerians that security forces remain actively engaged in operations across the country and are working relentlessly to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.
Nigeria facing insecurity challenges