Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defense Sent to Kebbi: Critics Say Tinubu “Shifting Blame Instead of Fixing Security”

Bello Matawalle has been directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls by armed terrorists. The Minister of State for Defence received the instruction as part of the President’s urgent and expanded strategy to ensure swift rescue operations. This move marks one of the strongest signals yet that the Federal Government intends to take direct control of the situation on ground.

Bello Matawalle is expected to coordinate all military and security agencies operating within the region, harmonising ground intelligence with national-level directives from Abuja. His physical presence is aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays and ensuring immediate, decisive action toward the recovery of the missing students. Officials say the minister will remain in Kebbi for as long as necessary.

Bello Matawalle’s deployment aligns with the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on school abductions and terrorism. The President has repeatedly stated that no child in Nigeria should be denied education because of insecurity and that perpetrators will be aggressively pursued. Matawalle’s relocation is therefore not only symbolic but strategic, representing a federal takeover of crisis management.

Bello Matawalle to Oversee Intensified Military Operations in Kebbi

Bello Matawalle will directly oversee the troops and special operations units tasked with tracking the kidnappers across the difficult terrain of the northwest. Senior military sources indicate that intelligence fusion teams, surveillance units, and rapid response operatives have been placed under his operational supervision. This structure is designed to ensure real-time decision-making in the field.

Bello Matawalle is also expected to brief President Tinubu daily on developments, troop movements, and intelligence breakthroughs. According to insiders, this is the first phase of a larger restructuring aimed at improving synergy among the Army, Air Force, Police, and DSS during high-risk rescue missions. The minister’s oversight will serve as the central command layer linking the state government with federal firepower.

Bello Matawalle’s hands-on role is anticipated to boost morale among the troops and reassure affected communities that the federal government is not only aware but fully engaged. Security analysts believe that placing a top defence official in the theatre of operation sends a clear message to insurgents that the government will escalate pressure until the schoolgirls are safely rescued.

Bello Matawalle’s Presence Meant to Reassure Families and Restore Confidence

Bello Matawalle, by relocating to Kebbi, will also engage directly with the families of the abducted schoolgirls, offering updates, reassurance, and federal backing. His arrival is meant to calm growing tensions and restore confidence in the government’s rescue efforts. Families of the victims have made passionate appeals for swift action, and Matawalle is expected to meet them immediately.

Bello Matawalle is additionally mandated to collaborate closely with Kebbi State authorities, traditional rulers, and community leaders to gather vital intelligence. President Tinubu emphasised that community cooperation remains central to defeating terrorism, urging locals to report suspicious movements and assist the military in identifying hideouts.

Bello Matawalle’s assignment forms part of a broader push by the presidency to demonstrate empathy, urgency, and decisive leadership. By placing a federal defence official on ground, the government aims to show that every abducted Nigerian child is a national priority and that no effort will be spared in ensuring their safe return.