A recent press statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, purportedly signed by Minister of State, Mr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has raised concerns about the deteriorating civil-military relations in Nigeria. The statement, which announced Mr. Matawalle’s decision to “storm Sokoto to flush out bandit kingpin, Bello Turji and his gang,” has been criticized for being an exercise in showboating, attention-seeking, and self-promoting.

According to the statement, Mr. Matawalle expressed his sadness over the activities of terrorists and bandits terrorizing Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states. He then directed the Chief of Defence Staff and other military chiefs to move to Sokoto to supervise operations and ensure the flushing out of Bello Turji and his gang. However, experts have criticized the statement for being poorly written and an attempt to arrogate powers that do not exist.

The statement has been seen as a clear attempt to score political points, undermine the military’s operational plans, and create unnecessary tension in the country. By announcing the plans to storm a particular area, the Ministry of Defence has inadvertently informed the bandits of the impending operation, allowing them to prepare or relocate. This has raised concerns about the Presidency’s ability to rein in Mr. Matawalle and prevent disruptions to civil-military relations.

The Presidency must issue a disclaimer to Mr. Matawalle’s press statement and ask him to retract it. The statement has compromised the civil-military relations in Nigeria and threatened the country’s security. The Minister of State, Defence, must be held accountable for his actions and prevented from making similar mistakes in the future.