Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has reinstated the Emir of Birnin Yandoto, Aliyu Garba, who he suspended months ago for conferring a chieftaincy title to a wanted bandits kingpin, Ado Aliero.
According to the statement by the secretary to the state government, Kabiru Balarabe, the Emir was reinstated because he was not found guilty of the allegations against him after conferring the traditional title of the rank of Fulani leader on Aliero.
The state government claimed that the traditional title was conferred on the ‘repentant bandit’ as part of peace-building efforts between the repentant bandits and banditry-affected communities in Tsafe and Gusau Local Government Areas, which include Yandoto town.
The Emir of Birnin Yandoto, who is a brother to Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, appointed Ado Aliero to the rank of Sarkin Fulani (leader of Fulani) in July 2022, which generated lots of tension and controversies.
Governor Bello Matawalle immediately suspended the Emir due to lots of public outcry both within and outside the state.
However, after a committee was set up to investigate the matter, no evidence of any ill motive or collaboration between the Emir and the bandit was found.
The reinstatement of the Emir has generated mixed reactions from residents of the state.
Some believe it is a step towards achieving lasting peace, while others think it is a wrong move that may embolden bandits.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
