Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence Former Aid Bashir Hadejia Arrested for

The arrest of Alhaji Bashir Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by security operatives on Monday has sparked significant outrage and concern across Nigeria. Hadejia, who previously served as a special adviser to Matawalle during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, is accused of "treason and subversion against the state," according to a search warrant issued by the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Police Command, dated August 12, 2024.

The news of his arrest quickly went viral, with Nigerians taking to social media to demand transparency and answers from the authorities. As photos and videos of Hadejia with prominent politicians and celebrities began to circulate, questions arose about the extent of his connections and the true nature of the charges against him.

One video that gained widespread attention shows Hadejia displaying what appeared to be a gold bar featuring the image of former Libyan leader Muammar Ghadaffi. In the 14-second clip, Hadejia is heard saying, "One tonne, total 24 carats, 1kg. In each box we have 50kg; in total we have one tonne." The video reveals 13 boxes filled with gold bars, all labeled "Central Bank of Libya." This revelation has raised concerns about Hadejia’s possible involvement in international criminal activities, particularly smuggling stolen gold from Libya.

Bello Matawalle Center, with his then Aid Bashir Hadejia left, and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020

The controversy deepened when it was discovered that in 2020, Hadejia had accompanied Matawalle to present some of these gold bars to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari. A photograph of this event shows Hadejia assisting Matawalle in presenting the gold to Buhari, which was later shared by Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, on social media. Ahmad’s post read, “President Muhammadu Buhari last night at his residence, the State House, Abuja, received Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia. Gov. Matawalle was at the State House to present some gold bars and other precious stones mined in his State.”

The connections didn’t stop there. Hadejia was also seen in several photos with high-ranking officials, including a handshake with President Bola Tinubu, standing side-by-side with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru. His proximity to power earned him the nickname ‘Villa Boy’ among insiders.

As these details emerged, many Nigerians took to social media to voice their concerns. A Twitter user, Alade Ayeniromo, questioned the secrecy surrounding the case, asking, "Why is Bashir Hadeija so confidential? Why can’t we have access to the full story? There’s no time names of terrorist financiers have been fully published and they get punished." Another user, A.Y. Rafindadi, highlighted the significance of the arrest, stating, "In a sane country, Bashir Hadeija’s arrest may just be one of the biggest arrests of the decade. Given how connected he is to past and serving government officials, the likes of Bello Matawalle, who employed him some years back as an assistant."

Despite the growing outcry, some individuals offered alternative perspectives on the arrest. A journalist based in New York, Franklin Ude, suggested that Hadejia’s arrest might be more personal than political. Ude claimed that Hadejia was being persecuted by his former boss, Matawalle, who allegedly ordered his abduction. He explained that Hadejia was taken from his Abuja home by military officials who sprayed him with a powdered substance, believed to be teargas, causing him to lose consciousness before he was whisked away to an unknown location. Ude wrote, “It is not a case of treason, terrorism, or stolen Gold bars. This is just a war of two former friends with one who is in government using his position to intimidate the other.”

Adding to the controversy, Ude claimed that Hadejia was accused of enlisting him in a plot to overthrow the government. Ude declined to comment further on the matter when contacted by journalists but maintained that Hadejia’s arrest was rooted in a personal vendetta rather than a legitimate security concern.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, through his aide Suleiman Shuaibu, has distanced himself from the situation. Shuaibu stated that Matawalle has "never met Hadejia and does not know him personally," while also noting that Hadejia had been photographed with several other high-profile individuals, including President Tinubu, Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser Ribadu, yet their names were not being mentioned in connection to the arrest. Shuaibu emphasized that Matawalle had nothing to do with Hadejia and that relating them is "uncalled for." He added, "If Hadejia is found guilty, he should face the law."

Amid the swirling accusations and counter-accusations, some groups have called for a thorough investigation. The Northern Elders Forum, through its spokesperson Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, described the arrest and the allegations against Hadejia as "appalling" and a potential threat to Nigeria’s stability. Suleiman said, “The nefarious activities reportedly uncovered by the arrest pose a severe threat not only to the sovereignty of our great nation but also to the very fabric of our society.” He commended Nigerian security agencies for their efforts but cautioned that the arrest was just the beginning, urging the government to dig deeper into the case. "The roots of this menace run deep, and Nigerian authorities must act decisively," he stated.

Suleiman expressed particular concern over Hadejia’s alleged links to international criminal syndicates, which reportedly include smuggling stolen gold from Libya and supporting terrorism. He warned that these activities are "an affront to our sovereignty and an invasion of our peace," stressing that criminal networks like these do not respect borders. He also highlighted the troubling connections between Hadejia and powerful political figures, including a former DSS director, urging the government to act decisively.

The President-General of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, echoed Suleiman’s sentiments, commending security operatives for the arrest while emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and prosecution to serve as a deterrent. In an exclusive interview with a correspondent in Kaduna, Shettima said, “Well, for us, we look at it in a positive way. Even though he still remains a suspect by the Nigeria law, they should do the needful to investigate properly and be sure so that at the end of the day, if he is found wanting, he should serve as a deterrent so that others should know that we are not in a Banana Republic. We are in a country where law and order prevail."

Shettima addressed Hadejia’s link to Defence Minister Bello Matawalle, noting that association with powerful personalities does not imply complicity. "They were not even together when he’s the minister. We see his pictures everywhere in the Aso Rock Villa. In fact, he has a nickname called ‘Villa Boy’," Shettima said. He emphasized that Hadejia should face the music alone, and if any collaborators are found, they should be brought to justice.

The National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, Jabir Yaro, described the situation as "sensitive," and urged for a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the true situation. “The case should be investigated and the true situation ascertained,” he added.

The arrest has also drawn attention from the Northern Elders Forum, whose spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, described the revelations as "appalling" and emphasized the severity of the threat posed by the alleged activities of Hadejia. He praised the security agencies for their work but warned that this arrest should only be the beginning of a broader investigation. Suleiman commended the Nigerian security agencies for apprehending Hadejia, noting that their success in unraveling such a complex criminal network is praiseworthy.

However, he cautioned that this arrest was just the beginning, emphasizing the need for deeper action. "The roots of this menace run deep, and Nigerian authorities must act decisively," he stated. He expressed alarm over Hadejia’s reported links to international criminal syndicates, which include smuggling stolen gold from Libya and supporting terrorism. Suleiman described these activities as "an affront to our sovereignty and an invasion of our peace," warning that criminal networks like these do not respect borders.

Particularly troubling, he noted, was Hadejia’s alleged role in sponsoring protests like #EndBadGovernance, which led to violence in the North. Suleiman decried how criminal elements exploited legitimate grievances, leading to instability. "It is shocking to learn that anyone connected to the devastations of recent protests in northern Nigeria had ulterior motives," he said. He also highlighted the disturbing connections between Hadejia and powerful political figures, including a former DSS director, urging the government to act decisively.

The arrest of Bashir Hadejia, with his deep ties to Nigeria’s political elite, has highlighted the complex web of connections that can influence the course of justice in the country. As the investigation continues, the public remains eager for answers. The arrest has sparked a broader discussion about the influence of political connections in Nigeria and the need for accountability. Whether this case will lead to further revelations or remain shrouded in mystery is a question that many are watching closely.