A prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdurrahman Azzamfari, has urged Nigerians to offer prayers and support for the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher G. Musa, in recognition of their unwavering efforts to combat the growing banditry and insecurity in northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State.
Speaking at a public lecture over the weekend, Sheikh Azzamfari, delivering his message in Hausa, highlighted the critical security challenges in Zamfara, attributing much of the violence to hidden forces that thrive on chaos for political and personal gain. He revealed that certain powerful individuals are deliberately stoking the flames of violence to benefit from the ongoing unrest, either for financial or political reasons.
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“This problem is like the case of two elephants fighting; who suffers the most? The grass,” Azzamfari remarked, likening the Zamfara people to the “grass” being trampled by the relentless conflicts. According to him, the true victims are the ordinary citizens of the state, who continue to bear the brunt of the violence while influential figures behind the scenes profit from the instability.
The cleric pointed to political manipulation and greed as key factors driving the ongoing insecurity, saying, “Some people don’t want to see the end of insecurity because if it ends, their political game is over. They want to use it to campaign for the 2027 elections. Others don’t want it to stop because they benefit financially, and they cannot tolerate seeing someone else, like Dr. Matawalle or General Musa, succeed in ending it.”
Azzamfari emphasized that the efforts of Dr. Matawalle and General Musa are being deliberately undermined by those who fear the recognition the leaders would receive if peace is restored to Zamfara. He warned that these “enemies of the people” are willing to see the population suffer in order to protect their own interests.
Despite the obstacles, the cleric commended the resilience and dedication of both leaders in their fight against banditry. He stressed that their efforts have made them targets of those who want the violence to persist, urging the public to rally behind them.
In his closing remarks, Sheikh Azzamfari called on all Muslims to pray for the success of Dr. Matawalle and General Musa, seeking divine intervention to help them overcome the challenges posed by those opposed to peace. He underscored the importance of unity in supporting the genuine efforts aimed at ending banditry and ensuring the safety and security of Zamfara’s people.
The cleric’s impassioned plea comes at a time when Zamfara State continues to face escalating violence, making the fight against insurgency all the more critical.