By Emmanuel Nduka
President of Niger Republic, Mohammed Bazoum on Wednesday presented a national award on security to the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle.
The Governor was awarded along with five other Nigerians, including the Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru; Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu; Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Chairman of BUA, Alhaji Abdussamd Rabiu, who were honoured on their various contributions to the country among others.
President Bazoum said Governor Matawalle was recognised by the Republic of Niger for his immense contribution towards checking trans-border crimes and terrorism which has helped so much in securing the country and neighbouring Northwestern states of Nigeria.
“It was emphatically noted that Governor Bello Mohammed is the first Governor in Nigeria who expressed his worry to the Nigerien Government over the free flow of weapons trafficking through that Country into the North-Western states of Nigeria, including Zamfara,” a statement signed by spokesperson to the Governor, Zailani Bappa, said.
“Governor Matawalle was equally the Governor who practically demonstrated and translated his concern to action by, not only paying several visits to Niger to share intelligence support, but also donated five brand new Hilux vans to the Country for border patrol.
“Governor Matawalle’s special efforts assisted the Niger Republic to arrest more than 40 notorious arms and ammunition dealers inside Niger Republic whose destination of nefarious activities is mostly Nigeria.
“The occasion, which took place at Tillaperi, a town of about 120 km away from the Capital, Niamey, witnessed the attendance of dignitaries from the Niger Republic and a large attendance of well wishers from across the Country.
“Governor Matawalle was supported at the occasion by many of his political associates from Zamfara state and elsewhere from across Nigeria,” he added.
In 2021, bandits abducted 317 female students from the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Over the Zamfara, has been a safe haven for armed bandits operating in Northwestern Nigeria.
Matawalle was also in the news earlier in the year, when he asked residents of the state to take up arms to defend themselves against the marauding bandits.
