The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has stated that only God can ultimately bring an end to the security challenges facing Nigeria, while emphasizing the need for continued prayers and collective efforts.
Matawalle made the remark during an interview with BBC Hausa, as reported by Daily Trust, noting that insecurity remains a national challenge that requires strong cooperation between security agencies and citizens to address.
His comments come amid ongoing incidents of kidnappings and attacks in parts of the country, including recent abductions of students and teachers in schools in Oyo and Borno States.
The minister urged Nigerians to support security operatives and consistently pray for peace, while warning politicians against politicizing the issue of insecurity for personal or political gain.
According to him, insecurity does not discriminate based on religion or political affiliation, as anyone can be affected. He also accused some opposition figures of exploiting the situation to incite the public and portray the government as ineffective.
“Only Allah, alongside our prayers and efforts, can bring an end to this insecurity. It should not be used as a tool for political attacks or scoring points,” he said.
Matawalle further alleged that some individuals are circulating old and misleading videos on social media to suggest that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has failed in tackling insecurity.
He claimed that some of the videos being shared date back to the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, while others originate from countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, but are being falsely presented as incidents in Nigeria.
The minister reaffirmed that security agencies are working round the clock to combat terrorism and criminal activities across the country, stressing that insecurity is a global challenge that even advanced nations continue to face.
He called on Nigerians to remain prayerful and supportive of government efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and security nationwide.
Experienced broadcast journalist with over 5 years of experience in reporting, multimedia editing, and storytelling across both traditional and digital media. I currently work with Vision FM 92.1 and Daily Frontier, where I report on security, conflict, and humanitarian issues, while also translating news into Hausa and Pidgin to reach wider audiences.
I also serve as a correspondent for Daily Frontier in Plateau and Benue States, Nigeria, covering security, conflict, and humanitarian developments in the region.
I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication from Adamawa State Polytechnic and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the National Open University of Nigeria.
