Zamfara reinstates monarch who turbaned notorious terrorist
The suspended emir of Yandoto emirate, Aliyu Marafa who was asked to step aside following a public complaint after he turbaned a notorious terrorist, Ado Aleru, the Sarkin Fulanin Yandoto, has been reinstated by Zamfara State Government.
This was made known in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe on Sunday.
Recall July 2022, the plan by the emirate to honour Mr Aleru who had led hundreds of fighters to terrorize residents and motorists in Zamfara and neighbouring states was reported by several media.
The emirate council took unanimous decision that Mr Aleru would be turbaned as part of efforts to bring peace to the area.
He was eventually turbaned but the state government, however, suspended him claiming that it was not consulted.
According to the government, it took the decision to reinstate the emir following the recommendations of the panel set up to investigate the incident leading to the event.
He explained that the committee disclosed that what the emirate council did was to prevent attacks and other terror activities.
“The committee found no evidence of any ill motive or collaboration between the Emir and the bandit.
“Based on the findings of the committee, the traditional title was conferred on the repentant bandit as part of peace-building efforts between the repentant bandit and banditry-affected communities in Tsafe and Gusau Local Government Areas, which include Yandoto town,” the SSG said in the statement.
Mr Balarabe said the reinstatement takes immediate effect.
Mr Aleru who is known to be one of the leaders of terror groups in north-west Nigeria, operate in Tsafe local government of Zamfara and Faskari in neighbouring Katsina State.
It was learnt that his armed group is believed to be responsible for the recent abduction of 85 residents of the Wanzamai community.
Zamfara State has been attacked by terrorist groups like other states in north-west Nigeria.
Thousands of people have been reportedly killed or kidnapped by the groups in the past year.