Zamfara Govt recovers 40 vehicles from ex-gov Matawalle

Armed security personnel on Friday stormed the residence of the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mattawalle.

They stormed the premises located in the former governor’s hometown of Maradun and evacuated several vehicles.

In a statement on Friday evening, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor, Suleiman Idris, said government’s stolen property were recovered during the operation.

“The Zamfara State Government has cleared the air on the operation of the Nigeria Police Force that led to the recovery of vehicles looted by the former State Governor, Bello Mohammaed Matawalle.”

“In the early hours of Friday, The Nigeria Police Force stormed the residence of the former Governor, where over 40 vehicles were impounded.

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“The Police acted on a court order and a search warrant was obtained for the operation. Recall that the Zamfara State Government communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.

“We also lodged an official complaint with the Police on overriding public interest on wasteful looting of valuables including official vehicles.

“Consequently, the Police sought a search warrant which was duly given by the court and hence raided Matawalle’s residence in Gusau, Maradun Local Government, and another unidentified hideout.

“Over 40 vehicles were recovered including Three bulletproof vehicles and Eight SUVs.

“We want to reaffirm our commitment to recover all that belongs to the people. Our common resolve is to rescue and rebuild Zamfara. Recovering the proceeds of crime and public assets is a critical part of our rescue mission.

“We want to call on the people of Zamfara to remain calm as we continue to record massive improvements in the areas of security and the lingering water scarcity in the state.”

While reacting to the incident, the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned what it described as an invasion.

The Zamfara APC spokesman Yusuf Idris in a statement said the invasion was a gross violation of sections 34, 35, 37, 41, 42, and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

He argued that “the police and the DSS have acted wrongly and could be accused of being political in their actions.

“We call on the Nigerian Police Force and Department of State Service (DSS) as a matter of urgency, to take a decisive stand against this misadventure by Zamfara State Government, and the perpetrators must be identified and made to face the dire consequences of their action.”

According to him, most of the vehicles parked inside the former Governor’s residence have been evacuated.

“The vehicles are his personal vehicles and some of the campaign vehicles used during the election period, I don’t know why security agencies without court warrants would do such a thing,” he added.

The development comes days after Matawalle’s successor, Dauda Lawal, accused him of moving official vehicles and other items from the Government House before handing over the state’s leadership.