A highly connected Nigerian who has appeared in the circles of top Aso Villa occupants, Alhaji Bashir Hadejia, has been arrested by the police over alleged ties with terrorists.
Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle when he was governor of Zamfara State, was arrested by the FCT Police Command over allegations of treason and subversion against the state.
Shortly after his arrest became public, photos and videos of the suspect with prominent politicians and celebrities emerged on social media.
In a photo that has been trending since the arrest was made public, Hadejia accompanied Matawalle to present some gold bars to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2020.
Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, also shared photos showing Hadejia appearing to assist Matawalle in presenting the gold to the president.
The post read, “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 was also seen in another picture having a handshake with President Bola Tinubu.
In pictures seen online, Hadejia was standing side-by-side with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.
Why Hadejia was arrested
According to a U.S. based Nigerian journalist, Jackson Ude, Bashir Hadejia was arrested at the behest of Mattawalle over revelation that the Minister aided the escape of Yahaya Bello to Niger Republic to avoid prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He said: “Armed Naval officials on Monday evening, stormed the home of Bashir Hadejia, pouring some white substance suspected to be powdered teargas on his face, causing him to be unconscious and thereafter abducted him to an unknown destination on the orders of embattled Minister for State, Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle.
“Hadejia was a former aide to Matawalle when he served as Governor of Zamfara state. Informants told me Matawalle is accusing Hadejia of leaking information about him to me (Use) and the media.
“Matawalle has been in the storm for aiding the escape of Yahaya Bello, the former Kogi State Governor, to the Niger Republic, an allegation he has not personally denied.”
