The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Defence Coalition has condemned a protest held Tuesday against the Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, labeling it as an attempt by “mischievous elements” to hinder ongoing efforts against terrorism and banditry in northern Nigeria.
The protest, led by a group known as the APC Akida Forum (AAF), took place outside the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday the APC National Defence Coalition’s coordinator, Dr. Hamid Ibrahim Katsina, suggested that the protest was orchestrated by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State in a bid to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation.
Katsina alleged that the protest was the second of its kind in a month, accusing Lawal of undermining federal efforts to curb insurgencies.
The group also condemned the demonstration, asserting that the buses used to transport protesters to Abuja were reportedly official vehicles belonging to the Zamfara State Government.
Kastina urged security agencies to investigate the group’s affiliations.
The statement reiterated that APC factions in Zamfara and beyond stand firmly behind the federal government’s anti-terrorism initiatives.
It warned that attempts to discredit Matawalle’s work could destabilize security efforts in the region.