June 12, 2021

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has approved the suspension of the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over his alleged involvement in banditry.

The suspension came on the heels of Thursday’s attack on Kadawa village in the emirate in which more than 90 persons were allegedly killed by bandits.

Head of Service and Acting Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, stated in Gusau on Saturday that the governor also set up a committee to investigate the allegations.

The committee has Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, a former deputy governor in the state as Chairman.

Members of the committee are Alhaji Mukhtar Anka, also a former deputy governor in the state, Alhaji Faruku Dosara, Leader of the State House of Assembly, retired DIG Mamman Tsafe and Alhaji Yusuf Zugu.

Representatives of the Police, the DSS and the NSCDC are also members, while Alhaji Musa Shinkafi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Security and Home Affairs, will serve as Secretary.

The committee has three weeks to submit its report.

The suspension of the Emir of Zurmi, brings the number of traditional rulers suspended in Zamfara over their alleged involvement in banditry to three,

The Emir of Dansadau, Alhaji Hussaini Umar and the District Head of Nasarawa Mailayi, Alhaji Bello Kiyawa, had earlier been suspended over the same issue.

Alhaji Balarabe also stated that Gov. Matawalle on Friday urged communities in the state to rise and defend themselves against all forms of attacks.

Protesters, earlier in May burnt a section of the palace of the Emir of Zurmi, lamenting that security agents and the Emir, Atiku Abubakar, were not doing enough to protect them from incessant bandit attacks in the area.