TheCable

The Zamfara state government says it has recovered over 40 official vehicles from Bello Matawalle, the immediate past governor. 

According to a statement issued on Friday by Suleiman Idris, the governor’s spokesperson, the vehicles were recovered after a raid of Matawalle’s residences in Gusau and Maradun LGA — his hometown. 

Idris said before the raid, the state government had asked Matawalle and his deputy to return all government assets in their care within five working days.

The governor’s spokesperson said their non-adherence to the directive made the police seek a search warrant to raid the properties on Friday morning.

“The Zamfara State Government has cleared the air on the operation of the Nigeria Police Force that led to the recovery of vehicles looted by the former State Governor, Bello Mohammaed Matawalle,” the statement reads. 

“In the early hours of Friday, The Nigeria Police Force stormed the residence of the former Governor, where over 40 vehicles were impounded.

“The Police acted on a court order and a search warrant was obtained for the operation. Recall that the Zamfara State Government 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.”

Dauda Lawal, governor of the state, polled 377,726 votes to unseat Matawalle in the Zamfara governorship election in March.