Bashir Hadeija, a close aide to Nigeria’s Minister of Defense for state, Bello Matawalle, has been arrested in connection with gunrunning, smuggling, and money laundering, MUK TV has learned.
According to Peoples Gazette, Mr Hadeija, who was a special assistant to Mr Bello while serving as governor of Zamfara State, was arrested over the weekend and is also accused of money laundering and other transnational crimes against the government.
The arrest follows multiple intelligence reports linking Hadeija to the smuggling of large caches of weapons and involvement in transnational crimes.
He is currently in custody, facing interrogation for allegedly aiding terrorism and other criminal activities in northern Nigeria.
Shortly after his arrest, video footage surfaced showing Hadeija with bars of gold inscribed with the image of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, raising further suspicions about his activities.
The arrest has elicited serious reactions due to Hadeija’s connections with high-profile politicians, including Minister Matawalle.
As security challenges continue to escalate in the northern region, these revelations have added fuel to ongoing concerns.
In a related development, notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji recently accused Matawalle of empowering terrorists during his time as Zamfara State governor.
In a video released on July 18, Turji claimed that Matawalle’s amnesty scheme, which provided financial rewards and protection for bandits, actually allowed some militants to regroup and strengthen their operations from within urban areas.
Where there has not beenofficial comments from the police or DSS yet regarding Hadeija’s arrest, sources within the intelligence community confirm to the Gazette that he remains in custody and under intense interrogation.
