By Yahaya Abubakar
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has approved the suspension of the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Marafa, for conferring a chieftaincy title on a terrorist/banditry kingpin, Ado Alero.
The suspension was announced in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna, on Monday in Gusau.
Alero has been declared wanted by the Nigeria Police with a N5 million bounty as a reward for anyone that provides information that would lead to his arrest.
The bandits kingpin was turbaned as the Sarkin Fulani by the Emir on Saturday.
The emirate premised the decision to confer the title on him on his alleged role during a recent peace process locally arranged between the Emirate and the terrorists/bandits groups that had been terrorising Tsafe Local Government Area.
In the statement, the governor distanced itself from all the processes and announced the suspension of the emir with immediate effect.
Matawalle directed that the District Head of ‘Yandoto, Alh. Mahe Garba Marafa, should to take charge of the affairs of the emirate and raised a six-man committee chaired by Yahaya Chado Gora to investigate the circumstances leading to the action of the Emir.
“This is to inform the general public the Zamfara State Government has dissociated itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area.
“In this regard, the State Executive Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON (Shattiman Sokoto) has directed for suspension of the Emir with immediate effect.
“Accordingly, the Executive Governor has approved the appointment of a Committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the action of the Emir.
“In the meantime, Alhaji Mahe Garba Marafa, who is the District Head of ‘Yandoto is hereby assigned to take charge of the affairs of the Emirate,” he said.