The recent arrest of Alhaji Bashir Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by security forces has sent shockwaves through the public.
Upon the release of videos and photos linking the suspect to high-ranking government officials and politicians, Nigerians expressed their outrage and called for explanations from the authorities.
Hadejia, who previously served as a special adviser to Matawalle during his tenure as the Governor of Zamfara State, was apprehended on Monday.
A search warrant issued to the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Police Command, dated August 12, 2024, accused the suspect of “treason and subversion against the state.”.
Following the public revelation of his arrest, images and videos surfaced on social media showing the suspect in the company of prominent politicians and celebrities.
Alleged Gold Bar Trafficker
In a video clip viewed by NewsNow on X (formerly Twitter), Hadejia can be seen showcasing what appears to be a gold bar bearing the likeness of former Libyan leader Muammar Ghadaffi.
In the brief 14-second video, he mentions, “One tonne, total 24 carats, 1kg. In each box we have 50kg; in total we have one tonne.”
There were roughly 13 boxes filled with gold bars on the table, all labeled “Central Bank of Libya.”
A trending photo since the arrest shows Hadejia accompanying Matawalle in gifting gold bars to former president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2020.
Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, also shared photos indicating Hadejia’s involvement in presenting the gold to the president.
The post noted, “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. Describe the visuals.”
He is also captured in another photo sharing a handshake with President Bola Tinubu.
The ‘Villa Boy’
NewsNow discovered that Hadejia earned the moniker ‘Villa boy’ due to his close ties to the Villa.
Online images show Hadejia standing alongside the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.
He is also depicted in several photos facilitating a meeting between the Arewa Consultative Forum and northern politicians with President Tinubu.
Renowned Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Kwam 1, dedicated a track in his Timeless album to praise Hadejia.
In the song, KI describes Hadejia as his associate and that of former governor of Jigawa and current Minister of Defence, Badaru.
Social media Queries Matawalle’s Ties
In response to the arrest, a social media user, Alade Ayeniromo, raised concerns about the lack of transparency from security forces regarding the arrest.
He expressed, “Why is Bashir Hadeijia 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. Omor, Vagabond movie explain so many things around political environment.”
Another X user, A.Y. Rafindadi, hypothesized that if the arrest had occurred elsewhere, there would have been additional arrests and confessions.
“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,” he expressed.
On the contrary, a New York-based journalist, Franklin Ude, alleged that Hadejia is being targeted by his former employer.
Ude, who posted copies of the arrest warrant, elaborated that Hadejia was seized from his Abuja residence on Monday under Matawalle’s directives.
“He is also being accused of involving me in his plot to remove the government. The military officials who abducted Hadejia on Monday sprayed powdered substance suspected to be powdered teargas on his face, causing him to become unconscious before he was whisked away to an unknown destination,” he detailed.
It is alleged that Hadejia is in possession of gold bars believed to have been stolen from the Libyan Central Bank.
“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,” he added.
When contacted for comment, Ude declined to speak on the matter.
However, a social media user, Abbas Nagwari, asserted that Matawalle should not be associated with the arrest.
He argued, “Nobody is claiming that Bashir Hadeja was not a former aide to Matawalle. But why are you avoiding new facts? Matawalle sacked him because of his criminal behavior; and it is the same @Bellomatawalle1 that ensured his arrest. People should think before they speak.”
An Online PUNCH Twitter poll conducted on Saturday demonstrated that an increasing number of Nigerians are calling for a thorough investigation into the suspect’s associates.
Over 93 percent of respondents demanded that the Federal Government disclose more information about the arrest and Hadejia’s connections to senior government officials.
When reached out to, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, directed inquiries to the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi.
The Force spokesperson confirmed the suspect’s detention.
“He is in custody,” he affirmed.
Efforts to reach the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to Badaru, Mati Ali, did not respond to calls and messages concerning the matter.
An aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Suleiman Shuaibu, has refuted any links between his boss and the suspect.
Shuaibu clarified that he has never crossed paths with Hadejia and has no personal acquaintance with him, expressing dismay at connecting his superior to such allegations.
He pointed out that Hadejia has been seen in photographs with other prominent individuals like President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu without raising any suspicions.
Shuaibu stressed that associating Matawalle with Hadejia is baseless and unwarranted.
He added, “If Hadejia is proven guilty, he should face the full force of the law.”
Call for Investigation by Northern Forum
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, a spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, expressed deep concerns over Hadejia’s arrest, labeling the revealed activities as “shocking” and a menace to Nigeria’s stability.
Suleiman applauded the security agencies for capturing Hadejia and urged for further actions to uproot the criminal network. He emphasized the necessity for swift and thorough governmental responses.
He raised alarm over Hadejia’s reported associations with international criminal syndicates and involvement in nefarious activities like smuggling stolen goods and supporting terrorism, undermining the nation’s sovereignty and peace.
He also criticized Hadejia for allegedly funding protests that incited violence, exploiting genuine grievances for destabilization.
He called for comprehensive investigations into Hadejia’s connections with influential figures and urged decisive governmental actions.
Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the President-General of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, commended the arrest as a positive step in combating terrorism, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation and prosecution.
Shettima highlighted the need for stringent actions to deter others from engaging in unlawful activities.
He dismissed the implications of Hadejia’s links to Minister Bello Matawalle, emphasizing personal accountability and the need to hold collaborators accountable.
Jabir Yaro, the National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, termed the issue as sensitive and urged for a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts.