Anger in Nigeria after wanted man is made chief

An emir in the Nigerian state of Zamfara has been suspended after he coronated a man said to be a wanted terrorist. According to Premium Times, Aliyu Marafa, who is the emir of Yandoton Daji, was suspended by the Zamfara State government after the alleged turbaning of Ada Aleru.

Aleru is accused of being the leader of a ruthless terrorist gang behind multiple attacks in the states of Katsina and Zamfara. But the secretary of the Emirate Council, Bello Yusuf, told the news outlet that the emir coronated Aleru in an effort to restore peace in the state. Yusuf also claimed the state and local governments had approved the conferment.

The state, however, disassociated itself from Aleru’s turbaning in a statement. “This is to inform the general public the Zamfara State Government has dissociated itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area. In this regard, the State Executive Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON (Shattiman Sokoto) has directed for suspension of the Emir with immediate effect,” the statement said. 

Marafa’s brother has since been asked to temporarily serve as the emir of Yandoton Daji as authorities investigate Aleru’s coronation.