Arewa Youth for Peace and Security has dismissed the story circulating online which alleged that the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle distributed food to bandits terrorising Zamfara State.
The group in a statement by its President, Comrade Abubakar Hassan Kankia said no right thinking person will believe such absurd story.
Furthermore, the group urged the detractors to allow the Defence Minister of State to focus on his mandate which is to secure the country from criminal elements.
“Our attention has been drawn to a publication by an online platform which mischievously and maliciously alleged that the Hon. Minister of Defence for State and immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Matawalle “distributed foodstuffs” to bandits terrorizing Zamfara State.
“It is outrageous, the height of rascality and fake news on social media. No right thinking person will believe this absurdity and gross abuse of the social media platforms calculated to dent the good image and integrity of the Honourable Minister.
“For the avoidance of doubt, since Dr Matawalle was appointed Minister of Defence for State, he has been working tirelessly with the office of the National Security Adviser, service chiefs and Northern States Governors in finding solutions and ending insecurity in Zamfara State in particular and the nation in general.
Previously Funtua to Gusau highway was a deathtrap where bandits kill and abducted people for ransom daily. The Minister directed immediate deployment of military personnel and checkpoints along the highway making it safe and secure for road users.
“The same is applicable on Dambaza to Maradum town where bandits used to kill and kidnapped innocent people for ransom. Matawalle equally directed immediate deployment of military personnel and checkpoints that have made the highway safe for travelers.
It could be recalled that armed bandits attacked Zurmi Local Government headquarters, burnt down the police station, killed police officers, destroyed military operational vehicles and kidnapped innocent citizens.
“The Honourable Minister of Defence for State in his characteristic patriotism and pragmatism deployed more military personnel to crush the bandits. The military operation recorded tremendous success. Several armed bandits were neutralized and the area is now safe and secure as the people go about their lawful business without fear of bandits’ attacks.
“Equally, when students of the Federal University of Gusau were abducted by bandits, Matawalle, a compassionate leader, quickly directed the deployment of soldiers and Air Force fighter jets to rescue them. To the glory of God, most of students and construction workers abducted with them were rescued unharmed.
“Matawalle should be allowed to carry out his duties as the Minister of Defence for State in tackling insecurity in Nigeria and make the country safe, secure and peaceful for all citizens and foreigners, a cardinal objective of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration.
“No amount of blackmail will distract, deter and dissuade him from fighting terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria, and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law”, the statement read in parts.