Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that opposition politicians and the spread of misinformation are contributing to what he described as an exaggerated public perception of insecurity in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service which was published on its official Facebook page yesterday, Matawalle said some opposition actors had continued to use insecurity as a political issue in their campaigns and public messaging.
According to him, the security situation in the country should not be turned into a partisan contest, insisting that government efforts to tackle the challenge deserve recognition.
He argued that attention was often focused on negative narratives while progress made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration receives less attention.
Matawalle said insecurity remained a national concern that requires collective commitment rather than political division.
“The opposition should understand that insecurity is a national issue demanding unity from across the board to be addressed for the common good,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns about the role of misinformation, claiming that some images and videos circulating on social media were old materials from previous security incidents but are being reposted as recent developments.
According to him, such content creates fear and gives the impression that the security situation is worse than it actually is. He noted that addressing insecurity is a long-term process and cautioned against expecting immediate results.
Matawalle added that security agencies have continued to deploy personnel to affected areas across the country as part of efforts to restore peace and improve safety.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
