Coalition Of Civil Society Demands Deployment of Terror-Accused Matawalle From Defence Ministry
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations under the banner of the Coalition of Nigeria Civil Societies Against Terrorism has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy terror-accused Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, in the interest of national security.
The coalition made the appeal on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, citing concerns over public confidence in the ongoing war against terrorism and banditry.
According to the group, the call followed recommendations contained in an assessment report on Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts presented by the United World Congress of Diplomats in collaboration with the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration.
Speaking at the press conference, the Convener of the coalition, Marvin Ibem, said Nigerians’ fears were not directed at the military but at potential internal weaknesses like Matawalle that could undermine operations.
“Across the country, Nigerians continue to express fear, not because they doubt the resolve of the Armed Forces, but because they are worried that internal weaknesses could compromise operational success,” Ibem said.
He noted that the Matawalle’s continued stay in the Defence Ministry had become a source of public anxiety, adding that redeployment would help restore confidence in the system.
“In our view, his redeployment is long overdue. Nigerians are not calling for redeployment out of malice; they are speaking out because they do not want anything to happen to the ongoing war against terrorism,” he stated.
Ibem said the coalition’s position was guided by prudence rather than politics, stressing that persistent allegation in the public domain had created what he described as a dangerous trust deficit.
