In The Shadows: Matawalle Points To Conflict Entrepreneurs Behind Banditry Surge

Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, asserted that the persistent banditry in the North-West is orchestrated by individuals he referred to as conflict entrepreneurs…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Matawalle highlighted the economic aspect of banditry, fueling criminal activities in the country.

According to Matawalle, those involved in conflict entrepreneurship are reluctant to see an end to insecurity, emphasizing that many individuals in the North are complicit in this enterprise.

He characterized the situation as a “business” encompassing various facets, including drug trafficking, food, fuel, and essential goods sales.

Describing the incentives for informants, Matawalle noted that they receive substantial compensation for their involvement in criminal activities, creating a disincentive for putting an end to the nefarious acts.

During his tenure as the governor of Zamfara, Matawalle observed the exploitation of the banditry economy.

He cited examples such as a bottle of coke sold for N100 in the city being resold to bandits in their enclaves for as much as N500. Similarly, a bag of rice, originally priced between N18,000 and N21,000, would reach bandit enclaves and command prices as high as N80,000.

Despite these challenges, the minister emphasized that security is a shared responsibility for all Nigerians.

He called for unity, urging individuals to set aside their differences and collaborate in the collective effort to combat insecurity.