By Monsurat Abisoye
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has said that only divine intervention, alongside collective efforts, can ultimately bring an end to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Matawalle noted that the country has faced a prolonged wave of insecurity marked by killings, abductions and displacement of residents from their communities.
He referenced recent attacks, including the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the kidnapping of 42 pupils in Borno State after armed assailants struck schools in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
Matawalle stressed that insecurity is a national issue requiring cooperation from security agencies and citizens, urging Nigerians to support government efforts, pray for peace, and avoid politicising the crisis.
He warned politicians against exploiting the situation for political advantage, insisting that insecurity affects everyone regardless of political or religious affiliation. “Insecurity does not discriminate based on political affiliation or religion. It can affect anyone,” he said.
The Minister further expressed concern that some opposition figures appear to benefit politically from the crisis by portraying the government as ineffective, while allegedly spreading misinformation to suggest they alone can solve the problem.
He also alleged that old and misleading videos are being circulated on social media to discredit the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that security agencies are actively working round the clock to combat terrorist activities across the country.
Matawalle maintained that ending insecurity requires both sustained efforts and prayers, stating: “It is only God that can bring an end to this insecurity, alongside our collective prayers and efforts. It should not be used as a tool to condemn others or score political points.”