US Lawmaker Urges Tinubu To Redeploy Matawalle
A United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing “serious red flags” contained in a recent security assessment on Nigeria.
Daniels, who also chairs the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the recommendation in a statement issued Tuesday alongside the release of a report examining Nigeria’s worsening security landscape, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions.
According to the report, persistent killings, banditry, and communal violence in affected areas have raised concerns among international observers about the effectiveness of current security strategies. The document reportedly highlights lapses in coordination, intelligence handling, and response mechanisms within the country’s defence architecture.
The U.S. lawmaker stressed that urgent administrative action, including the possible redeployment of Matawalle, could help restore public confidence and reposition Nigeria’s security leadership for more effective operations. She noted that continued instability in key regions poses not only a domestic threat but also broader implications for regional security in West Africa.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, has been under scrutiny in recent months over his handling of security issues, especially in areas heavily impacted by armed banditry. While the Federal Government has maintained that ongoing military operations are yielding results, critics argue that attacks and civilian casualties remain alarmingly frequent.
The Nigerian presidency has yet to officially respond to Daniels’ call. However, security analysts say such international scrutiny underscores growing global concern over Nigeria’s protracted security challenges and the need for decisive reforms within the defence sector.
The development comes amid renewed violence in parts of the country, with calls intensifying for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security framework and leadership approach.
