U.S. Lawmaker Demands Defence Shake-Up, Removal Of Matawalle Over Rising Killings In Nigeria

A United States lawmaker has intensified calls for a major shake-up of Nigeria’s defence leadership, including the immediate removal or redeployment of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, amid worsening insecurity and repeated deadly attacks across parts of the country.

Kimberly Daniels, a U.S. State Representative from Florida, issued the call in a strongly worded assessment under the United World Congress of Diplomats, warning that Nigeria’s security crisis has reached a critical point requiring urgent and structural action rather than political assurances.

Daniels condemned a wave of killings reported during recent Palm Sunday and Easter periods in Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and other states, where worshippers and rural communities were attacked, leaving dozens dead and several others displaced. She described the incidents as part of what she called a “deepening failure” in Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to her, repeated condemnations from Nigerian authorities have not translated into effective protection for vulnerable communities, warning that there is now a widening gap between government statements and realities on the ground.

At the centre of her recommendation she placed a direct call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove or redeploy Bello Matawalle from his position, arguing that his continued stay in office risks undermining public confidence in the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

Daniels cited what she further described as “red flags” surrounding the minister, including allegations linked to his tenure as governor of Zamfara State, claims of alleged connections with bandit groups, and concerns over ransom-related dealings. She also questioned his security experience and suitability for overseeing sensitive defence responsibilities at a time of escalating violence.

She was quoted to have said, “The urgency of this warning cannot be ignored. Nigeria must look inward and investigate external compromise within its security structure.
She further alleged that some attacks may be enabled by actors within the system, describing the situation as “terror from within,” and calling for a comprehensive investigation into alleged complicity at higher levels of security leadership.

The report also urged a broader overhaul of Nigeria’s defence architecture, improved protection for communities in the North-Central and North-West regions, and stronger transparency in military operations and accountability structures.

Internationally, Daniels had called on the United States and allied partners to increase diplomatic pressure on Nigeria, referencing ongoing debates around Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution.

The move, has added to growing external scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, particularly from U.S. political and advocacy circles, where concerns over targeted killings and mass-casualty attacks have increasingly shaped diplomatic commentary.

In Florida, Daniels reportedly co-sponsored House Resolution 761 alongside other lawmakers, condemning violence in Nigeria and supporting measures tied to human rights and religious freedom concerns. The resolution, according to her office, received bipartisan backing.

The development comes as Nigeria continues to battle multiple security challenges, including banditry, insurgency, and communal violence, which have repeatedly triggered domestic debate over the effectiveness of military leadership and counterinsurgency strategy.