By Grace Manaya
A prominent youth advocacy group in Zamfara State, Zamfara Youth for Progress (ZYP), has strongly condemned what it describes as a politically-driven plot to discredit the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, warning that such moves could undermine the ongoing progress in the fight against insecurity across the North.
In a statement released to the media on Monday and signed by its chairman, Tijjani Musa Tsafe, the group alleged that a press conference was being planned by certain individuals, purportedly sponsored by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to malign the image and efforts of Minister Matawalle.
“We hereby issue this statement as a clarion call to the youth and citizens of Zamfara, urging them to reject any attempts to destabilize the ongoing fight against insecurity in our region,” the group stated.
According to the youth group, the North—especially Zamfara State—has witnessed a significant reduction in banditry and other violent crimes, thanks to the focused and strategic operations led by Minister Matawalle in collaboration with the military and other security agencies.
Chairman Tijjani Musa Tsafe noted that several notorious bandit leaders have been neutralized under Matawalle’s leadership, resulting in the restoration of relative peace to many communities that were once under siege.
“It is imperative that we recognize and celebrate these achievements rather than allow ourselves to be drawn into divisive politics that serve only the interests of a few,” he said.
The group criticized the alleged plan to host a press conference targeting the Minister as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and a distraction from the urgent task of securing the region.” According to ZYP, the individuals and groups behind the move are “disorganized, unrepresentative, and motivated solely by personal ambition and the desire for public recognition.”
“They are hungry for attention and recognition, but their actions threaten to derail the progress we have made in combating insecurity,” the statement added.
The group emphasized that Zamfara—and by extension, the entire North—cannot afford any distractions at this critical time when real gains are being recorded in the war against banditry.
“We call upon these non-existent groups to desist from their misguided plans. The people of Zamfara deserve leaders who prioritize the welfare of their constituents above personal ambitions,” Tsafe said.
He urged political actors to allow Minister Matawalle and the Federal Government the space and support needed to continue executing effective security strategies that are already showing results. “The stakes are too high, and the consequences of such distractions could be dire for our communities.”
The youth group went further to describe Matawalle as a “beacon of hope for the North,” noting that his leadership and commitment have brought tangible changes to a region long plagued by insecurity.
“The reduction in banditry and violence is not merely a statistic; it is a testament to the lives saved and the families reunited,” the statement said. “As a community, we must rally behind him and support his efforts, for he is now the only remaining hope for the Northerners.”
ZYP concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant and united against any schemes meant to destabilize the fragile peace currently enjoyed in many parts of the North.
“We must focus our energies on supporting those who are genuinely working to improve our lives rather than engaging in futile political squabbles,” the statement concluded. “Let us stand together in solidarity, championing the cause of peace and security for Zamfara and the North as a whole.”
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