US lawmaker calls for Matawalle’s removal over rising insecurity

By Jude Opara

A US lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels has urged the Nigerian government to sack or redeployment the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle over the rising spate of insecurity across the country.
Daniels who is also the Chairwoman of the Supreme Council of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), in her comprehensive assessment on Nigeria’s security crisis in relation to the escalating waves of terrorism and recent mass killings in Nigeria’s North-Central and Northwestern regions.
The report also examined the implications of current Nigerian security leadership following a series of brutal attacks during the 2026 Easter period that left dozens of Nigerians dead in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.
The report said the recommendation is at the forefront of a new international assessment on Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
Daniels, who also serves in the Florida House of Representatives argued that restoring credibility to Nigeria’s defence leadership is essential and warned that retaining current leadership could further erode public confidence and weaken security efforts.
At the center of the assessment is a direct appeal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “look inward” and take decisive action by restructuring the defence ministry, beginning with Matawalle’s position.
The document equally raised concerns about past allegations linked to Matawalle’s tenure as governor of Zamfara State, as well as broader questions about ethical governance and the strategic direction of Nigeria’s security leadership.
According to the report, these concerns risk undermining both domestic trust and international confidence in Nigeria’s quest to defeat insecurity.
It regretted that religious gatherings were specifically targeted during Palm Sunday and Easter services, intensifying fear among affected communities. While Bola Tinubu has condemned the violence, the assessment points to a growing sense among residents that official statements have yet to translate into meaningful improvements in security on the ground.
Daniels in her remarks said her position was formed by direct appeals from individuals in Nigeria, as well as her responsibilities in international diplomacy and ministry.
She described the situation as deeply troubling and stressed the urgency of decisive action in addressing what the report characterizes as a worsening crisis.
The assessment also calls for greater transparency through investigations into alleged complicity in banditry and urged stronger protection measures for vulnerable communities in affected regions across the country.