US Lawmaker Urges Tinubu to Dismiss Defence Minister

Kimberli Daniel, a US lawmaker, has urged Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, due to escalating security issues in Nigeria. Daniel's statement, posted on her Facebook page, references a recent security assessment report highlighting increased violence in the north-central and north-west regions during the 2026 Easter period, which resulted in multiple casualties in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.

She raised concerns about Matawalle's continued position in office, linking it to alleged failures during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State. Daniel called for a leadership review within the Nigerian Defence Ministry and emphasized the need for a transparent investigation into high-level allegations.

She also urged the federal government to enhance protections for vulnerable communities and called on international partners to apply diplomatic pressure on Nigeria to ensure accountability. Additionally, she disclosed House Resolution 761, which supports redesigning Nigeria's approach to religious freedom, receiving bipartisan support from the Florida legislature.