As early as September, 2019, Governor Bello Matawalle demonstrated an uncommon commitment to border security having realised that transborder arms trafficking across the vast expense of the Sahara has been instrumental in destabilising the serene security situation we once enjoyed.
With insecurity in north west becoming an existential threat Governor Bello Matawalle implored the federal government to put more effort into fighting it, this has not deterred him from his quest for the strategic collaboration with Niger Republic.
He joined his counterparts from Katsina, Sokoto and Maradi to discuss the security situation in the border areas in Maradi in September, 2019.
The meeting convened by Zakari Oumorou, the Governor of Maradi Region of Niger Republic seeks to renew synergy on security in order to nip in the bud the problem of banditry, kidnapping and rustling.
Addressing the leaders in attendance, Governor Bello Matawalle thanked the Governor of Maradi for his foresight in convening such a meeting and call for more collaborative action to employ conflict resolution approach to curb the menace of insecurity as that has yielded positive results in Zamfara State stressing that all hands should be on deck to work out practical modalities which involve dialogue for a more sweeping success across the region as whatever affects one region affects all.
Governor Bello Matawalle expressed appreciation for the hospitality exhibited by the Governor of Maradi particularly how the Zamfara IDPs in Maradi were kindly hosted recounting how the truce he has initiated in Zamfara led to the release of 11 Niger nationals, a symbiotic relationship which should be sustained.
At the end of the meeting, a communique was presented as read out by Secretary to the State Government of Maradi and part of the resolutions signed includes:
i. Adoption of conflict resolution method as started by some state governors in Nigeria
ii. Adoption of unified and coordinated approach in the fight against insurgency and armed banditry
iii. Appreciated the effort of Dangote and other NGOs for providing soccour to the refugees.
iv. The meeting observed with great concern the proliferation of arms, ammunitions hard drugs and urged for intensified effort to curb the menace.
v. The meeting recommends security checks on voluntary returnees.
The summit ended with exchange of pleasantries and farewell souvenirs among leaders and security service chiefs.
In December 2021 His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, again visited His Excellency The President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum as part of efforts to end all forms of armed banditry between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
The two leaders met at the Presidential Palace, Niamey. The meeting was meant to discuss issues of insecurity especially in North West Nigeria and Niger Republic and resolved to explore more areas of support and cooperation between Niger Republic and Zamfara State in particular. He donated four Hilux vans to the Security operatives of Niger Republic to assist them in the patrol along our borders to fight the incursion of criminal elements into the Country, he led a delegation which included the governors of Jigawa and the representative of Kebbi. On arrival at the country, they immediately held a preliminary closed door meeting with the officials of that Country.
To consolidate the agreements reached, in January 2021, Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) once again paid a working visit to the President of Niger Republic, His Excellency, Mohammed Bazoum leading a delegation consisting of Jigawa and Kebbi State counterparts, Governors Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Atiku Bagudu (who was indisposed but represented) respectively, arrived the Country's Capital, Niamey, on Friday where they immediately held a preliminary closed door meeting with the officials of that Country.
The team met with President Bazoum where they held another four-hour closed door meeting in which all the issues surrounding cross-border crimes as it affects the two Countries were thoroughly discussed. Governor Bello Mohammed presented to the Nigerien President the document for action on the where his Country is required to further assist in the common fight.
Governor Matawalle assured the President of the total committment of the Governors bordering Niger Republic of the resolve to join hand with his Country to fight and bring to an end the problem facing our people.
President Mohamed Bozoum assured the Governors that his Country is concerned about what is happening in Nigeria and is aware of the role his Country can and will play in the fight against the transit of illegal weapons Into Nigeria. He said that his Country will continue to support Nigeria in its effort to find a lasting peace especially from the menace of banditry and insurgency.
A special meeting was organised for the visiting Governors with all the Chancellors and Security Chiefs of that Country where the nitty-gritty challenges that need to be addressed were divulged. The meeting which lasted for several hours is expected to enrich the blue-print for the comprehensive fight against the syndicate of arms trafficking. Governor Bello Matawalle made a presentation to the Nigerien President the document for action on where his Country is required to further assist in the common fight and further assured the President of the total commitment of the Governors bordering Niger Republic of the resolve to join hand with his Country to fight and bring to an end the problem facing our people.
During the visit, President Mohamed Bozoum assured the Governors that his Country is concerned about what is happening in Nigeria and is aware of the role his Country can and will play in the fight against the transit of illegal weapons Into Nigeria. He said that his Country will continue to support Nigeria in its effort to find a lasting peace especially from the menace of banditry and insurgency.
A special meeting was organised for the visiting Governors with all the Chancellors and Security Chiefs of that Country where the nitty-gritty challenges that need to be addressed were divulged. The meeting which lasted for several hours is expected to enrich the blue-print for the comprehensive fight against the syndicate of arms trafficking.
The Nigerien President then, treated his visitors to some comforting cultural and sporting events which are commonly shared by Nigerian and Nigerien people which has been mischievously sponsored as the reason for the visit.
It is noteworthy that in an affirmation of his(Matawalle’s) foresightedness, his visits have yielded some great results as a notorious trans-border terrorist named Katare, who has been terrorizing the people of Bakura and other adjoining villages was arrested with five(5) members of his gang in Birin Konni(Niger Republic). His extradition to Nigeria is underway. Also, man known as “Na Lugga” who is a gun runner and who supplies arms and ammunitions to those terrorists has been arrested by security forces in Niger Republic and handed over to Nigerian authorities in honour of the pledge and commitment Governor Matawale got from President Bazoum of Niger.
There have been recent news of arrests of criminal elements in the state, a testament of the unshaken resolve to combat insecurity to a halt, one thing is evident, the tide against him at succeeding on his quest to keep his people safe is strong as sponsors and beneficiary of the huge criminal enterprise will stop at nothing to see Zamfara becomes a failed state and a fiefdom under their firm control.
With his unwavering determination, mental strength and strong resolve, he will swim successfully against this tide. If for nothing but for the preservation of humanity and victory over depravity, He will deliver on his promise.
WORKSHOP IN MARADI ON PASTORALISM, SECURITY AND MEDIA
Concerned about anything that has to do with security, Governor Bello Matawalle coordinated and sponsored nine state media practitioners security staff and staff from forestry, survey and for capacity building during the Maradi Pastoral Week in May 2022.
The team from Zamfara consists of the following:
1. Sa'idu Maishanu Gusau (Tambarin Gusau) Managing Director Zamfara Radio)
2. Musa Liman (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Security and Home Affairs.
3. Engr Sani Aliyu (Gold City FM Gusau)
4. Abubakar Bello (DPM Security)
5. Ibrahim Bello Zauma, Director General, New Media, Office of Executive Governor.
6. Aminu Saidu Tsafe (Surveyor General)
7. Falalu Abdullahi (Director, Ministry of Forestry and Livestock Development)
8. Aminu Ibrahim Shehu (Director Security, Ministry of Security and Home Affairs)
9. Tukur Jangebe (Chairman, Miyetti Allah)
Part of the themes of Maradi Pastoral Week workshop centered around the techniques necessary for collecting and processing news especially in conflict situations.
After the rigorous instructions from seasoned resource persons on journalistic genres in community, editorial styles, syndicates were formed and taken for sightseeing to conduct practical interviews and give reports in a manner needed to douse the ember of communal clashes resulting from bandits activities.
It has been stressed that conflict reporting has often been marred by unprofessionalism with many practitioners doing more harm to security than good. It is agreed that it is unfair to derive data from psychologically traumatised victims after an unfortunate violent incident and without balancing with other corroborating sources.
The programme also reviews Maradi-Katsina bilateral agreement signed on 25 July 2017 of which Zamfara State has so much to contribute especially with the tight synergy already built by His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle with Niger Republic.
Governor Bello Matawalle was ably represented by his Deputy Sen. Hassan Muhammad Nasiha (Jarman Gusau) during the closure of the workshop.
Ibrahim Bello Zauma
Director General, New Media
Office of Executive Governor,
Zamfara State
4/8/2022
