Zamfara Government Alleges Political Abduction by Defence Minister

The political atmosphere in Zamfara State has taken a sharp turn toward crisis as the state government issued a blistering indictment against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. In an official statement released late Wednesday night, the state government accused the minister of orchestrating a campaign of harassment that leverages high-level federal security assets to suppress local political opposition.

At the center of this escalating feud is the reported disappearance of Saleem Abubakar, a Technical Assistant to the Governor of Zamfara State. According to the state’s spokesperson, Suleiman Bala Idris, Abubakar was seized in Abuja on Tuesday in what the government has characterized as an illegal abduction. The operation was allegedly carried out by a special forces unit operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The allegations strike at the heart of Nigeria’s security framework, with the Zamfara government claiming that Matawalle is using “federal might” to settle political scores. Idris noted that the state was left with no choice but to go public with the details of the incident to prevent further intimidation. The government expressed deep concern over the apparent synergy between the Ministry of Defence and the ONSA in targeting a state official.

According to the spokesperson, the operatives involved in the seizure failed to produce an arrest warrant or provide any legal justification for the detention. He further claimed that the abductors have been moving Abubakar between different facilities in a deliberate attempt to hide his location and evade legal scrutiny. This lack of transparency has sparked fears regarding the safety and well-being of the detained aide.

The Zamfara State Government described the development as a “perilous precedent” for the country’s democracy. They argued that the neutrality of the nation’s security agencies is being compromised by personal desperation. The statement warned that the misuse of elite security offices for political persecution undermines the rule of law and threatens the stability of the federation.

In a direct appeal to the Presidency, the state government called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene immediately. They urged the President to call the Office of the National Security Adviser to order, stating that such actions are detrimental to the international reputation of the Nigerian government. The spokesperson emphasized that the Presidency must ensure that security institutions remain professional and insulated from partisan conflicts.

The state government challenged the authorities to follow due process if there are legitimate grievances against Abubakar. They argued that if the Defence Minister or the ONSA has evidence of wrongdoing, the appropriate course of action is to file formal charges in a court of law. The practice of “abduction” instead of legal prosecution was condemned as a hallmark of impunity that should have no place in a democratic society.

This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing friction between the current administration in Zamfara and the former governor, who now serves in the federal cabinet. The rivalry has been characterized by public accusations and legal tussles, but the involvement of the ONSA and special forces units represents a new and more volatile chapter in the dispute.

Observers of Nigerian politics have noted that the use of federal security agencies in local state matters often leads to prolonged instability. The Zamfara government has vowed to remain vigilant, stating that they are monitoring the situation closely and will pursue the matter to a logical conclusion. They insist that justice must be served and that the “federal impunity” displayed in this case must be checked.

The state’s narrative paints a picture of a government under siege by its own federal representatives. By bringing the matter to the public eye, the Governor’s office hopes to galvanize national and international pressure against the use of state security for private political ends. The focus now remains on the federal government’s response to these grave allegations and the eventual whereabouts of Saleem Abubakar.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on whether the federal government will provide a transparent explanation for the detention or if the silence will further fuel the accusations of political victimization. For now, the people of Zamfara and the wider Nigerian public are watching a high-stakes confrontation that tests the boundaries of ministerial power and the protections of the law.