On Friday, a significant number of heavily armed security personnel, including police officers and members of the Department of State Services, raided the residence of former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle in his hometown of Maradun. According to eyewitnesses, the security agents forcefully entered the premises and confiscated multiple vehicles, which were then taken to the local police station.
Approximately 15 vehicles were observed being removed from the house.Attempts to contact the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful as he did not answer his phone despite repeated calls.It is worth noting that Governor Dauda Lawal, Matawalle’s successor, expressed his displeasure during his inaugural speech at the number of vehicles taken by his predecessor, leaving the treasury empty.In the meantime, the Zamfara State Government has provided clarification regarding the operation that resulted in the recovery of the vehicles taken by the former governor.
According to a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the police acted based on a court order, and a search warrant was obtained for the operation.The statement emphasized that the Zamfara State Government had officially requested that Matawalle and his deputy return all the missing vehicles within five working days. Additionally, an official complaint was filed with the police regarding the wasteful looting of valuables, including official vehicles. As a result, the police sought and obtained a search warrant to raid Matawalle’s residence in Gusau, Maradun Local Government, as well as another undisclosed location.
The operation resulted in the recovery of over 40 vehicles, including three bulletproof vehicles and eight SUVs. The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reclaim all assets belonging to the people, emphasizing that the recovery of proceeds of crime and public assets was an essential part of their mission to rescue and rebuild Zamfara.
