ABUJA — A major international scandal has hit the Ministry of Defence following a viral video released by United States Florida Representative Kimberly Daniels. The American lawmaker has alleged that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a U.S. official to “change the narrative” of a report indicting him for complicity in religious violence and the worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The Bribery Allegation
In a statement that has sent shockwaves through Abuja, Kimberly Daniels, who serves as the Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), claimed that Matawalle offered money to an elected U.S. official. According to Daniels, the bribe was intended to suppress or alter a UN-WCD report focused on the ongoing genocide of Christians in Nigeria.
The report allegedly identifies “red flags” and links Matawalle to bandit groups during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, including claims of hosting bandit leaders and facilitating ransom payments.
Failure in the Middle Belt
These allegations come at a time of mounting domestic pressure over the Minister’s inability to secure the Middle Belt—specifically Plateau, Kaduna, and Benue states. The region has seen a devastating surge in violence, including brutal massacres that many local leaders describe as a systematic religious cleansing.
Daniels’ report argues that there is a “troubling disconnect” between the Federal Government’s official statements and the reality on the ground. She asserted that the attacks are “allegedly protected by leadership from the inside,” describing the situation as “terrorism from homegrown familiar enemies.”
A Pattern of Controversy
This is not the first time Matawalle’s integrity has been questioned. While in office as Governor, he faced accusations from his successor and security agencies regarding his “soft” approach to banditry.
- Corruption Probes:Â The EFCC has previously investigated claims involving the misappropriation of billions of naira during his governorship.
- Aide Arrest: The recent arrest of his close associate, Bashir Hadeija, on charges of gunrunning and money laundering has only added fuel to the fire.
Calls for Removal
Civil society groups and international observers are now demanding that President Bola Tinubu sack or redeploy the Minister to restore the integrity of the nation’s security apparatus. While some domestic groups have defended Matawalle, calling the claims “foreign interference,” the weight of a direct bribery allegation from a U.S. lawmaker has left the Presidency in a difficult position.
As of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Federal Government has yet to issue an official response to the bribery claims. The silence from the Villa is being interpreted by critics as a sign of a government struggling to manage a massive diplomatic and security crisis.
