Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and President Bola Tinubu are aware of the alleged involvement of Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, in banditry activities in the state.
The governor revealed on Tuesday that he had reported the minister to the NSA and the President, presenting them with some facts regarding the situation.
This development follows Mohammed’s recent denial of any ties to banditry in the state. Speaking on Channels Television, Mohammed, a former governor of Zamfara, challenged Governor Lawal and General Ali Gusau (retd.) to swear by the Holy Quran that they have no involvement in the banditry affecting Zamfara and the North-West region.
Mohammed defended his previous decision to engage in dialogue with bandits as part of efforts to curtail the killings. He noted that governors from other states, such as Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina, had also resorted to similar negotiations with bandits.
While maintaining that he is not a sponsor of bandits, Mohammed further challenged his successor, Lawal, and General Gusau to take an oath on the Quran, declaring that they are not involved in supporting bandits.
However, in an interview with *The Punch* on Tuesday, Lawal’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Idris, refuted Mohammed’s claims, accusing him of dishonesty and vowing that all evidence against him would soon be made public. Idris added that Governor Lawal, who is currently out of the country, had already sworn by the Quran, praying that those behind the banditry be punished.
“He has already sworn by the Quran. There was a clip of him at an event where he expressed his anguish over an incident and swore that he had no involvement in banditry, praying that God punish anyone who was complicit in the state’s insecurity,” Idris stated.
Idris further challenged Mohammed, accusing him of distributing vehicles, money, and food to bandits. “We have mentioned names, and Mohammed should come out and clear his name. He needs to explain his relationship with these individuals. These are not mere allegations; we have facts, and the NSA is fully aware of them.”
“When the governor met with the President, he explained everything, presenting all the evidence. He has also briefed the NSA on the situation. Since Mohammed is now asking for proof, we assure you that we will release all the facts. He wants a media trial, and we are prepared to provide it because we have all the necessary evidence,” Idris concluded.
