Former Aide Alleges Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Bought Vehicles, Gave Cash To Wanted Terrorists, Hid Arrested Bandit Leader

Matawalle was appointed Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023.

A former Senior Special Assistant in the Zamfara State Government, Musa Muhammad Kamara, has accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara governor, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, of buying vehicles, funding armed bandits, and shielding a notorious terrorist after his arrest.

Matawalle was appointed Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Kamara, speaking in Hausa, detailed how vehicles and cash were allegedly distributed to wanted terror commanders including Kachalla Halilu, Bello Turji, and Ado Aleru during Matawalle’s tenure as governor.

Kamara said the allegations currently being debated in the media are “not false,” insisting that he personally handled some of the transactions.

He said, “Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Ta’ala Wabarakatuh. My name is Musa Muhammad Kamara, former SSA under the former Zamfara State Government of Dr. Bello Mutawalle of Maradun.

“This is the matter: there is a lot of talk, and even after the government changed, there was no place where it was said that I was dismissed or suspended until we left office. Now, I am seeing on the media that a petition is circulating against Malam Murtala Bello Assada, accusing him of insulting and defaming the Minister of Defence.”

“There are some clips I watched in which Malam Murtala Bello Assada was speaking. So, we see that there are accusations and counter-accusations. This thing is not false,” he said.

‘Vehicles Were Bought And Given To Bandit Leaders’

According to Kamara, vehicles were purchased under the instructions of the former governor and delivered to the notorious warlords.

“There is a clip I saw where the Mallam said that vehicles were bought. Wallahi, Summan Tallahi Billahi, vehicles were bought and distributed. Vehicles were given to Kachalla Halilu, Turji, Ado Aleru; those motorcycles were truly bought and given out.

“There is another clip I saw again recently that they were “settled”, given money. Truly. I, Musa Kamara, was among those who were given that settlement.”

He further alleged that large sums of money were disbursed to bandit groups across all 14 local government areas of Zamfara State.

“This bank settlement record shows all 14 local governments of Zamfara State and their names. There is none of them that did not receive ₦3 million. When the money was added, it totalled ₦42 million, and it entered my account as a settlement of ₦28,020. Each local government I know received its amount, and the money was also given to the youths.”

How A Terror Commander Was Allegedly Hidden After Arrest

Kamara also referenced a separate incident involving Haru Dole, a notorious terror leader said to possess “over 500 AK-47 rifles.”

He claimed Haru Dole was arrested at Gusau Hospital by security operatives and taken to Abuja.

“Malam Murtala also spoke in a clip about the arrest of Haru Dole. Haru Dole, one of the top bandits, who had 500 AK-47s. He was arrested by SCS at the Gwasso hospital. They arrested him and took him to Abuja, to the office of Illa Muradi.”

“From SCS, he was handed over to Illa Muradi’s office. Matawalle sent his aide, Dr. Bashir Maru, to the hospital to take the man and hide him, and that was done,” he alleged.

‘I Handled Purchase Of House Given To Bandit Leader, Turji’

The former SSA also stated that he personally handled the purchase and renovation of a house allegedly gifted to terror kingpin Bello Turji.

He said, “Malam Murtala also spoke about the house that was bought for Turji. Billahi, Allazi La Ilaha Illa Hu; a house was bought. I was the one who bought the house. Someone began building it but abandoned it. They came and said I should talk to his younger brother, and I saw a small man with an elephant statue in Fakai town. The house was bought, completed, and handed over.”

“These things we are seeing, some people are denying them, but everything that was done, I know. Even though I have no close relationship with Malam Murtala, some of these things are true,” he said.

₦88 Million For Cows Allegedly Diverted And Stolen

Kamara added that he was entrusted with ₦88 million to purchase cows meant for distribution to residents during Sallah.

He claimed the cows were bought and delivered, but many were later stolen or diverted.

“For example, Malam Murtala said cows were bought and stolen. Wallahi, Summatallahi, I, Musa, was given ₦88 million to give to Kachalla Halilu and Kachalla Turji. I took the money to them for buying cows. The cows were bought at ₦140,000, and we were given ₦50,000 each as logistics.

“He told us to use ₦10,000 each for transport when bringing the cows. The cows were bought under a contract; they were to be shared to the people of Zamfara State for Sallah.

“I delivered the cows. One of the owners of the cows stolen from him saw me. Alamm Bakaura followed with his cows from Tsatsa to Batsari, and he followed his cows. I called the governor and he told me to buy him his cows. I brought the cows to the Commissioner for Security during Abubakar Daura’s time. They said the cows were for a ceremony. They were taken to Ruƙayya in Maradun.

“Everyone who came forward received those cows. These things truly happened.”

I Will Go To Court; I Have Evidence

Kamara appealed to Malam Murtala Bello Assada, the whistleblower currently facing threats and petitions, to stand with him as a primary witness.

He said, “That is why I want to confirm that the allegations being made are true. I beg Malam Murtala Assada, for Allah’s sake, to support me as a primary witness because I will go to court and I will speak the truth; what I know, even what Malam Murtala does not know. I will come with my evidence and prove to the court what actually happened.

“I swear by Allah’s law, there are things that people do not know, and I will reveal them in court. The Mallam himself does not know some of them. I will say them because this has now reached the stage where justice must be done for the people.”

He insisted that the revelations are necessary to ensure justice for the people of Zamfara State.

WATCH: Former Aide Alleges Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Bought Vehicles, Gave Cash To Wanted Terrorists, Hid Arrested Bandit Leader pic.twitter.com/eftItTU6G8

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 12, 2025