Photo: Ex-Gov Matawalle and the allegedly stolen vehicles
Police recover over 40 government vehicles from Zamfara ex-governor’s residence
The Police Command in Zamfara State has recovered more than 40 government vehicles from the residence of the state’s former governor, Bello Matawalle.
Sulaiman Bala Idris, the spokesperson of the state governor, Dauda Lawal, said in a statement that the vehicles were recovered during a raid on Matawalle’s residence residence on Friday.
Idris further explained that the raid was executed following a search warrant obtained by the police.
He said, “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 obtained for the operation.”
The raid came after Gov Lawal communicated officially to Matawalle and his former deputy giving them an ultimatum to return all the vehicles which they had carted away within five working days.
Idris added that the state government also lodged an official complaint with the Police over the wasteful looting of valuables, including official vehicles, by members of the immediate past administration.
“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 Area and another unidentified hideout.
“Over 40 vehicles were recovered, including three bulletproof vehicles and eight SUVs.”
The state government reiterated its commitment to reclaiming all assets that rightfully belong to the people, stressing that the action was necessary to rescue and rebuild Zamfara.
for calm among the residents, assuring them of significant improvements in security and efforts to address the ongoing water scarcity in the state.
It would be called that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier announced that it was investigating Matawalle over corruption allegations, including the award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.
Matawalle too had earlier accused the Commission’s chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa of demanding a bribe of $3 million from him.
