Divergent Views trails turbaning of repentant bandit in Zamfara

 

By: DREAM REPORTERS

Zamfara has been in the news again. This time around was on the controversial turbaning of a repentant terrorist, Ado Aleru, as Sarkin Fulani of Yandoto emirate.

The turbaning generated serious concern within and outside the state over what was viewed as a recognition of banditry in the state.

The turbaning held in a grand style, with hundreds of bandits in attendance as well as some key government officials that graced the occasion.

But surprisingly, the news of the turbaning of the terrorist went viral days before the event.

Explaining reasons why the Emir of Yandoto, Alhaji Aliyu Garba Marafa conferred the traditional title of Sarkin Fulani to a repentant bandits' kingpin, Adamu Aliero, the spokesperson of the emirate,  Lawal Magaji said the Ado Aliero was considered as a peace-maker within the emirate.

Magaji added that, "with this development, the people of the emirate could now go to their farms without fear of bandits attacks"

"He has been trying to stop banditry activities within the Emirate and we have seen positive changes"

"The conferment of the title of Sarkin Fulani to Adoi Aliero would give him more power to control the entire Fulani people within the Emirate".

"It will also enable him to checkmate the activities of the recalcitrant bandits and take action against them within the emirate"

"I want to use this medium to apeal to the entire people of the state to look at this as the best option to address the issue of bandity"

"This is because the bandit has repented and now fighting the bandits who has refused to surrender".

In a swift reaction, Zamfara state government via a public announcement signed by Secretary to the state government, Kabiru Balarabe dissociated itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin 'Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area. 

In the same vain, 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 composition of the Committee is as follows: 

a) Hon. Yahaya Chado Gora         Chairman, Hon. Yahaya Mohd Kanoma Hon. Muhd Umar B/Magaji Hon. Lawal Abubakar Zannah  

Isa Muhd Moriki (Rtd P/Sec)    

Bar. Musa Garba  SG/PSec.  MOJ Secretary 

The statement however, directed, Alhaji Mahe Garba Marafa, who is the District Head of 'Yandoto to take charge of the affairs of the emirate. 

The bandit, Ado Aleru was once declared, wanted by the Katsina Police Command, alleging that the repentant bandit had killed  100 persons in Katsina State.

Some of the concern citizens in the emirate shared their views on the social media and faulted the stand of the state government on claiming ignorance on the conferment and turbaning of the bandit.

According to the post on Facebook, "At the time when the residents of Mada, Ruwan Bore, Yandoto and environs were suffering from incessant bandits attacks, nobody cares to even symphasize with the us".

The post further said, farmers were banned from farming activities in the area, but with peace reconciliation with the repentant bandit, Ado Aleru, peace rained in the area and residents were allowed to farm freely.

"There was no option other than to reconcile with the bandit kingpin, we were solidly behind the decision of the suspended emir on the conferment of the title of Sarkin Fulani on Ado Aleru".

The Facebook post, revealed that , the turbaning of the repentant bandit, Ado Aleuro was performed at the instance of the Chairman of Tsafe local government council, Alhaji Aminu Mudi and Commissioner for Security Affairs, DIG Mamman Tsafe.

The post however, wondered why state government hurriedly acted so hard on the Emir alone, exnorating government officials in the turbaning.

In an additional, directives, Governor Bello Matawalle ordered traditional Institutions in the state to seek approval from the state Government before awarding and conferring traditional titles.

"All Emirs, Senior District Heads and District Heads in the state are hereby directed to officially seek permission from the State Government before conferring traditional titles to anyone", the Governor said.

The statement,signed by Special Adviser to the governor on media, Zailani Baffa, said directive becomes necessary in  order to check indicriminate award and possible abuse of the traditional institution.

"Henceforth, no Emir, Senior District Head or District Head must appoint anybody into any traditional office without securing official permission and clearance from the state Government" Governor Matawalle directed. 

"Compliance to this directive is now mandatory and failure to it will attract serious reprimand from the state Government", the Governor warned.

This directive comes after a traditional title was controversially bestowed last week by the Yandoto Emirate, a development that did not go down well with majority of people within and outside the state.

Some residents of the emirate however, told DREAM REPORTERS that, the conferment of the traditional title of Sarkin Fulani on Ado Aleru was in the interest of the people as a means of having peace in the areas hithertor ravaged by bandits.

One Hassan Yankuzo said the welcome the idea  of turbaning the bandit as Sarkin Fulani as a substitute to the attainment of peace in the area. 

According to him, residents in the area have been facing series of attacks from bandits but following the peace accord reached with bandits kingpin, Ado Aleru that he been history people moved freely and even worked on their farms with out any threat from the bandits.

Also, in an interview, Hajiya Jumma Nabakuwa stated that, Ado Aleru being an indegine of the emirate intervened in the prevention banditry within the emirate. 

She stressed that, the people of Tsafe local government could testify to the impact of the emirate reconciliation with the repentant bandit.

Nabakuwa expressed hope that, the action of the state government would not halt the peace being enjoyed by the residents in the area.

"My fear was that, the state government action in suspending the emir would not alter the reconciliation entered with the bandits kingpin and resulted to another raids and attacks on towns and villages", She added.

Also, speaking, Mujtaba Damo Yandoto expressed reservation over the suspension of the emir over the conferment of traditional title on the bandits kingpin.

He urged the state government to be just and fair in handling the investigation on the emir, he claimed the emir who was just appointed about two months ago can't appoint famous repentant bandit without approval of the government more so key government officials grace the occasion, but the state was silent about them.

End.