The arrest of Alhaji Bashir Hadejia, a former aide to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by security operatives has triggered widespread outrage.
Many Nigerians are demanding explanations from the authorities after photos and videos surfaced, showing Hadejia in close contact with high-ranking government officials and politicians.
Hadejia, who served as a special adviser to Matawalle during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, was apprehended on Monday. A search warrant issued by the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Police Command, on August 12, 2024, indicated that Hadejia was accused of “treason and subversion against the state.”
Shortly after news of his arrest broke, images and video clips featuring Hadejia with notable politicians and celebrities began circulating on social media.
One particularly striking video shared on X (formerly Twitter) shows Hadejia displaying what appears to be a gold bar imprinted with the image of former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, The Punch reports. In the 14-second clip, Hadejia can be heard saying, “One tonne, total 24 carats, 1kg. In each box, we have 50kg; in total we have one tonne.” The video reveals around 13 boxes labeled “Central Bank of Libya,” all filled with gold bars.
In another image that has gained traction since his arrest, Hadejia is seen accompanying Matawalle to present gold bars to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020. Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, also posted photos showing Hadejia assisting Matawalle in presenting the gold to the president, captioning the post with a description of the visuals.
Hadejia was also photographed shaking hands with President Bola Tinubu, further fueling the controversy.
Nicknamed ‘Villa boy’ due to his close ties to the Presidential Villa, Hadejia’s influence appears significant. He has been spotted in photos alongside the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru. Additionally, he was seen facilitating meetings between the Arewa Consultative Forum and northern politicians with President Tinubu.
Hadejia’s connections even extend to the entertainment world. Popular Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Kwam 1, dedicated a track in his “Timeless” album to praise Hadejia, describing him as a friend of both the musician and former Jigawa Governor, now Defence Minister, Badaru. In the song, Ayinde refers to Hadejia as a distinguished personality, highlighting his prominent social connections.
The ongoing developments surrounding Hadejia’s arrest continue to raise questions about his activities and associations, as well as the broader implications for those connected to him especially those past and present government officials.