Nigeria’s NW state dethrones two first class emirs, district head over banditry
The Zamfara State Government has dethroned the Emir of Zurmi, Atiku Abubakar, and Dansadau, Hussaini Umar, for alleged connivance with terrorists causing mayhem in the state.
The meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday chaired by the Acting Governor, Hassan Nasiha not only resolved to sack the duo but also a second class traditional ruler, the District Head of Birnin Tsaba, Sulaiman Ibrahim.
Recall that the Emir of Zurmi and that of Dansadau were suspended in June 2021, over allegations of aiding and betting on banditry activities in the State.
Two separate committees were constituted to investigate the two traditional rulers and to submit their reports within two weeks. But the committees only submitted their reports on Monday to the Acting Governor, Hassan Nasiha.
The Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, announced the decision of the State Executive Council, approving the dethronement of the two emirs along with the District Head, following their indictment by the committees’ reports.
He said the Council upheld the recommendations of the six-member White Paper Committee, set up by the government to review the report of two separate committees, earlier inaugurated to investigate the involvement of the three traditional rulers, in the activities of banditry in the state.
Dosara further told journalists that the findings of the committees also revealed the abuse of the Land Use Act by the traditional rulers, and the government ordered the reversal of the status quo on lands illegally allocated.
