Zamfara reinstate Emir expelled for granting chieftaincy to the bandits’ commander.

Aliyu Garba, the Emir of Birnin Yandoto in Zamfara State, who had been expelled for bestowing a traditional title upon one of the most feared bandit lords, Ado Aliero, has been reinstated.

The suspended Emir was reinstated, according to a statement from the state’s secretary of administration, Kabiru Balarabe, since he was cleared of the crime he was thought to have committed when he promoted Aliero to the position of Fulani leader.

The statement reads as follows, “This is to inform the public that, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle has approved the reinstatement of Alhaji Aliyu Garba Marafa as the Emir of Birnin Yandoto.”

“His reinstatement is based on the recommendations of the committee constituted to investigate all issues pertaining to the conferment of a traditional title to a repentant bandit, Ado Aleiru”.

“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 bandits and banditry-affected communities in Tsafe and Gusau Local Government Areas, which include Yandoto town”. 

 “The reinstatement takes immediate effect.”

It may be recalled that in July 2022, the Emir of Birnin Yandoto Aliyu Garba, who is the brother of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, nominated the notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aliero to the rank of Sarkin Fulani (head of the Fulani), which caused to a great deal of friction and controversy.

Governor Bello Matawalle promptly suspended the Emir following widespread public outcry both inside and outside the state.