A civil society organisation, the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, arguing that a strategic reshuffle within the defence leadership is necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry. The group made the call while presenting its assessment report on the country’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Call for Strategic Redeployment
The UN-WCD said its demand was driven by what it described as “perceived internal obstacles” within the defence establishment that are limiting the effectiveness of security operations. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group’s Secretary-General, Tunji Asaolu, stated that redeploying Matawalle would amount to a “surgical cleansing” aimed at improving coordination and accountability within the defence ministry.
According to Asaolu, the organisation’s assessment suggests that Nigeria’s security challenges require not only increased military action but also institutional realignment. He argued that periodic reviews and redeployments of key officials are standard governance practices that help refresh strategies and eliminate bottlenecks.
He added that the call was not personal but policy-driven, insisting that the focus should remain on outcomes in the fight against banditry and terrorism, particularly in areas that have witnessed prolonged insecurity.
Findings From the Terrorism Assessment Report
Asaolu explained that the UN-WCD’s report evaluated Nigeria’s counter-terrorism war based on coordination among security agencies, intelligence flow, and public confidence. The report, he said, acknowledged recent gains by the military but noted that progress has been uneven across regions.
The group observed that lingering insecurity in parts of the north-west and north-central zones continues to undermine public trust, making it necessary for the federal government to reassess leadership structures within the defence sector.
UN-WCD further stressed that decisive leadership changes, where necessary, could send a strong signal of seriousness and commitment to both security personnel and affected communities.
Appeal to the Presidency
The organisation appealed directly to President Tinubu to consider its recommendations in the broader interest of national security. Asaolu said the president’s reform-oriented agenda would be reinforced by demonstrating readiness to make difficult decisions in sensitive sectors like defence.
He maintained that redeployment does not imply guilt or failure but could allow for a more effective deployment of expertise within government. The group also urged the presidency to prioritise transparency and measurable benchmarks in evaluating security leadership.
The UN-WCD concluded by reiterating its willingness to engage with government institutions and other stakeholders to contribute to sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
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