Zamfara Govt Suspends Emir For Crowning Notorious Bandit Leader

The Zamfara State Government has suspended the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area, Aliyu Marafa, for giving a chieftaincy title to a “notorious bandit leader”.

Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Sardauna, announced the suspension in a statement issued on Sunday.

Aleru was turbaned as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulani) of Yandoto Emirate by the emir.

News of the turbaning ceremony along with photos trended on social media, generating public outcry and outrage.

Apart from suspending the emir, Governor Bello Matawalle approved the appointment of a Committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the action of the Emir.

“In the meantime, Alh. Mahe Garba Marafa, who is the District Head of ‘Yandoto is hereby assigned to take charge of the affairs of the emirate,” the statement partly read.

It was reported that bandit group leaders and lieutenants got to the venue of the occasion on several motorbikes to celebrate with Aleru during his turbaning.

According to a source, the decision to make the bandits’ leader a chief was targeted at finding lasting peace in Tsafe and the Yandoton Daji Emirates, and other areas that were regularly attacked by Aleru-led gangs.

“It was aimed at providing lasting peace in the emirate, the emir told us that there is a peace accord between the emirate and the bandit group,” the source revealed.