The Zamfara State Government has suspended Aliyu Marafa, the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area, for bestowing a chieftaincy title on a “notorious bandit leader.”
Kabiru Sardauna, Secretary to the State Government, announced the suspension in a statement on Sunday.
The emir turbaned Aleru as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulani) of Yandoto Emirate.
News of the turbaning ceremony along with photos went viral, generating outcry and outrage.
Apart from suspending the emir, Governor Bello Matawalle approved the appointment of a Committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the action of the Emir.
The committee has Yahaya Goro as chairman and Musa Garba as secretary. Members are Yahay Kanoma, Muhammed Magaji, Lawal Zannah, Isa Moriki.
“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 said.
According to reports, several bandit group leaders and lieutenants arrived at the venue of the occasion on several motorbikes to celebrate with Aleru during his turbaning.
A source told newsmen that the decision to make the bandits’ leader a chief was aimed 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 said.
Similarly, an official from the palace who pleaded anonymity said that the title of Sarkin Fulani was conferred on Alero considering his present status as a ‘peace-maker’ within the emirate.
“The chieftaincy title was given to him in appreciation of the peace reconciliation,” he said.