The Coalition of Nigeria Civil Societies Against Terrorism on ongoing war in Nigeria has said that the redeployment of Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle, from the ministry of Defence will strengthen public confidence in the anti-terrorism war.
The Coalition, which declared that it has nothing personal against the Minister of State for Defence, said his redeployment to another ministry will not amount to condemnation, rather, it will be a preventive, confidence-building decision that strengthens the war effort.
The Coalition was reacting to earlier recommendations contained in the Assessment Report on the Ongoing War Against Terrorism in Nigeria, recently presented by the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) in collaboration with the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA).
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Convener of the Coalition, Marvin Ibem, Esq, said the continued stay of Matawalle in the Defence Ministry has become a growing source of public anxiety for most Nigerians.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu deserved the support of all well-meaning Nigerians in the area of security. Terrorism is not a partisan issue; it is a national threat.
He said: “Mr President, we respectfully call on you to: Act on the recommendation for redeployment in the overriding interest of national security.
“Insulate the Defence Ministry from all forms of suspicion, real or perceived.
“Entrust sensitive security responsibilities only to officials whose credibility is beyond question.
“Such a decision will reassure Nigerians, strengthen public confidence, and protect the gains already recorded in the war against terrorism. Nigeria is on the right path. But this war cannot afford complacency, internal doubts, or divided trust.
“We reaffirm our full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his leadership in the fight against terrorism. With unity, clarity of purpose, and the right decisions at the right time, Nigeria will defeat terrorism.”
Barrister Ibem noted that across the country, Nigerians continued to express fear, “not because they doubt the resolve of the Armed Forces, but because they are worried that internal weaknesses could compromise operational success.
“In counter-terrorism operations, confidence, secrecy, and absolute loyalty to strategy are non-negotiable. Where there is widespread suspicion—rightly or wrongly—there is fear that strategic plans may be exposed, deliberately or inadvertently, to hostile actors.
“Nigeria cannot afford a situation where operational details are perceived to be vulnerable to leaks, especially at a time when terrorists and bandits are being decisively pressured.
“We must emphasize this point: The Nigerian people are afraid, not of the military, but of what could go wrong if caution is ignored.”
While commending the President’s approach to the war against terrorism, the Coalition said President Tinubu has demonstrated resolve, political courage, and seriousness in confronting terrorism and banditry, adding that the restructuring within the security sector, the strengthening of military leadership, and international cooperation efforts showed that the President understood the gravity of this moment.
“We therefore state clearly that we have nothing personal against the Minister of State for Defence.
“We are not engaging in partisan politics. The security of Nigeria must never be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience,” he added.
