The Zamfara State Government has raised a red alert over what it described as the dangerous politicisation of Nigeria’s security architecture, accusing the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of allegedly deploying the Office of the National Security Adviser to intimidate opposition figures in the state.
In a strongly worded press release issued on Tuesday, the state government alleged that federal security institutions are being misused to harass political opponents, warning that such actions pose a grave threat to democracy, the rule of law, and national cohesion.
According to the statement, Saleem Abubakar, a Technical Assistant in the Office of the Zamfara State Governor, was allegedly abducted in Abuja by operatives described as a special forces unit linked to the NSA’s office. The government claimed the operation was carried out without an arrest warrant and that Abubakar was whisked to undisclosed locations, reportedly shuttled between facilities to evade scrutiny.
The Zamfara Government described the incident as “most alarming,” alleging that the abduction was syndicated through the NSA’s office at the behest of the Defence Minister of State. It warned that no political ambition or desperation could justify turning national security institutions into tools of political persecution.
“This development sets a dangerous and unacceptable precedent,” the statement noted, adding that Nigeria must not allow its highest security offices to be compromised for partisan interests.
The government called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently rein in the Office of the NSA and ensure that all security agencies operate strictly within the bounds of the law. It cautioned that such alleged excesses damage Nigeria’s democratic credentials and international reputation.
“If there are allegations against Saleem Abubakar, due process demands that he be charged before a competent court — not abducted,” the statement stressed.
Signed by Sulaiman Bala Idris, Spokesperson to the Zamfara Governor, the release concluded that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion “to ensure that justice prevails.”
About The Author
