The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations of harassment of opposition figures levelled against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, by the Zamfara State Government.
The party was reacting to a press statement issued by Suleiman Bala Idris, spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, alleging that the Minister illegally orchestrated the arrest of Saleem Abubakar, a technical assistant in the office of the governor.
In a statement signed by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party described the allegation as misleading and politically motivated.
According to the APC, it has become a recurring pattern for the Zamfara State Government to link any development perceived as unfavourable to it directly to the Minister of State for Defence.
The statement noted that, the governor’s spokesperson himself admitted that Saleem Abubakar was arrested by a Special Forces unit operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), adding that this fact alone should have dispelled claims of political interference.
The party explained that, arrests coordinated by the NSA’s office are usually related to serious national security concerns and do not necessarily require a warrant, as they are often subject to intelligence-led investigations.
The APC further alleged that the state government deliberately avoided mentioning that the arrested individual is suspected to have links to terrorism and cybercrime, which it described as grave offences requiring thorough investigation.
Reacting to claims that, the Minister masterminded the arrest, the APC clarified that Dr Matawalle was out of the country on national assignment at the time the arrest and allegations were made, stressing that he could not have been involved.
The statement also faulted the use of the word “abduction” by the governor’s spokesperson, described it as careless, inflammatory, and capable of causing legal consequences, insisting that security agencies only arrest or invite suspects in line with their duties.
The APC also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Defence, and other security agencies for their ongoing efforts to safeguard the country and tackle threats posed by criminal elements.
REL/AMINU DALHATU
