The Zamfara State government has stated that forty vehicles were recovered from the houses of Bello Matawalle, the former governor of the state.
The houses of Bello Matawalle, in Gusau, the state capital, and Maradun town, were searched by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Police Force personnel.
A statement by Suleiman Idris, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Zamfara State Governor, said some government properties were recovered during the operation.
The state government stated that the raid, which was an execution of a court order, stated that over 40 vehicles, including three bulletproof vehicles and eight SUVs, were recovered, including 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 Mohammad Matawalle. In the early hours of Friday, The Nigeria Police Force stormed the residence of the former Governor, where over 40 vehicles were impounded.
“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,” the statement said.
On the other hand, the Zamfara State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denounced the alleged invasion and vandalism of Matawalle’s houses by DSS and police operatives.
In a statement, Yusuf Idris Gusau, APC publicity secretary in the state, described the action as “archaic, barbaric, brutal, and unacceptable” “The unlawful invasion is a gross violation of the sacred provisions of sections 34, 35, 37, 41, 42 and 43 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“What exactly might have warranted the invasion still remains a mystery to the good people of Zamfara State. If the government thinks it has any case against the former Governor why not charge him to court instead of resorting to such barbaric and uncivilized means?
“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.
“To say the least, the action which is said to have been directed by Governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal is archaic, barbaric, brutal, unacceptable and an illegal trespass on the former governor’s property in Gusau and his home town Maradun,” he said.
