Policemen invade ex-gov. Matawalle’s house days after theft allegation, recover 40 vehicles

By Kenny EMMAN

The home of former Gov. of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle in Maradun was on Friday morning, invaded by officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

Only recently, Dauda Lawal, the new Zamfara State governor, accused Matawalle of stealing official vehicles from the Government House before handing over the state’s leadership to him.

Lawal, during a radio programme with Vision FM in Gusau, the state capital, on Wednesday, said his predecessor sold all the official vehicles, refrigerators, television sets and other items in the Government House.

However, on Friday, policemen stormed Matawalle’s residence perhaps in search of the cars.

An APC chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode who is a friend of Matawalle described the raid as unacceptable and called on the Inspector General of Police to call his officers to order.

“This morning a detachment of policemen raided the home of my brother, the former Gov. of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle in Maradun. They claimed to be looking for cars. They did not have a search or arrest warrant, or court order and they claimed to be acting on the orders of the new Governor. This is unacceptable. It is not only vindictive but also lawless and it stands condemned. I call on the IGP to call the officers that are involved to order. The abuse of power and the persecution of political opponents and adversaries has no place in Asiwaju’s Nigeria,” Fani-Kayode stated.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued Friday night in Gusau, the Spokesperson of the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Idris, revealed that the Police acted on a court order while a search warrant was obtained before the operation.

The statement read in part: “Recall that the Zamfara State Government has communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.

“We also lodged an official complaint with the Police on overriding public interest on wasteful looting of valuables including official vehicles.

“Consequently, the Police sought a search warrant which was duly given by the court and hence raided Matawalle’s residence in Gusau, Maradun Local Government, and another unidentified hideout.

“Over 40 vehicles were recovered including Three bulletproof vehicles and Eight SUVs.

“We want to reaffirm our commitment to recover all that belongs to the people. Our common resolve is to rescue and rebuild Zamfara. Recovering the proceeds of crime and public assets is a critical part of our rescue mission.

“We want to call on the people of Zamfara to remain calm as we continue to record massive improvements in the areas of security and the lingering water scarcity in the state”.