According to a report by Punch on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, a United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider redeploying or removing Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following concerns raised in a recent security assessment.
Daniels, who also serves as chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the appeal in a statement shared on her Facebook page. She expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions.
Her comments come in the wake of renewed violence during the 2026 Easter period, with attacks reported in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states. Several lives were lost in incidents that targeted communities and, in some cases, religious gatherings during Palm Sunday and Easter services.
According to Daniels, the assessment examined the implications of Nigeria’s current security leadership amid the persistent wave of violence. She said testimonies from community leaders and survivors revealed a disconnect between official assurances and the realities faced by residents.
The report, she noted, raised concerns about Matawalle’s continued role in the defence ministry. It cited alleged “red flags,” including claims of past links to bandit groups during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State, as well as questions surrounding his security expertise.
Daniels called for an immediate leadership review within the ministry, urging the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to rebuild public trust. She stressed the need to remove any individuals whose actions or associations could undermine national security.
In addition, she advocated for a transparent investigation into allegations of high-level complicity in banditry, alongside stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities affected by recurring attacks.
The lawmaker also appealed to the United States and other international partners to intensify diplomatic pressure on Nigeria to ensure accountability for those accused of supporting terrorism.
Daniels said her stance was influenced by appeals from Nigerian citizens and her personal ties to the country through her religious and diplomatic roles.
She further noted that House Resolution 761, which seeks to redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern over religious freedom, has gained bipartisan support in the Florida legislature.
Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, as armed groups and bandits carry out frequent attacks, raising ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies.
Efforts to reach Matawalle for comment were unsuccessful, as he had yet to respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
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