Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has suspended Emir of Birnin Yantodo of Tsafe local government for turbaning a wanted bandit kingpin Ado Aliero as Sarkin Fulani of the emirate.
The governor disclosed this in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna Sunday night.
The emir had earlier turbanned the wanted bandit leader, Adamu Aliero Yankuzo, popularly known as Ado Alero, as Sarkin Fulani of the emirate.
The federal government had designated bandits as terrorists. The police had placed a N5 million bounty on th wanted bandit leader.
The event, which triggered public outrage, took place at the emir’s palace in Tsafe town on Saturday. The ceremony was well attended by hundreds of bandits riding motorcycles.
The statement by Zamfara state government reads thus: “This is to inform the general public that 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.”
The statement said the investigative panel is chaired by Yahaya Chado Gora. The committee members are Yahaya Mohd Kanoma, Muhd Umar B/Magaji, Lawal Abubakar Zannah, Isa Muhd Moriki and Musa Garba as secretary.
The District Head of ‘Yandoto, Mahe Garba Marafa, has been appointed as the acting emir.