On Saturday the Emir of Yandoton Daji, Aliyu Marafa, made a wanted terrorist, Adamu Yankuzo, who is also known as Ada Aleru, the Sarkin Fulani of the emirate.
Aleru, who is notorious for his ruthlessness, had once been declared wanted by the police.
Aleru is the leader of a terrorist militia that operates in parts of Zamfara and Katsina states. Thousands of people have been killed in the two states and other neighbouring states by terrorists.
During the ceremony, the emir said he was making Mr Aleru a chief to ensure a lasting peace in the area.
After his inauguration as a chief, Aleru told the crowd of people that gathered to witness the ceremony that he would do whatever it takes to prevent attacks on communities in the emirate.
While he accused some unnamed persons of enriching themselves from the attacks in the area, he said he and his militiamen were not criminals but freedom fighters.
The ceremony was attended by the Zamfara State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Mamman Tsafe; security advisor to the governor, Abubakar Dauran; Tsafe Local Government Chairman, Aminu Mudi, and representatives of the information commissioner, district heads and other traditional title holders and government officials.
Speaking on why Aleru was turbaned, the palace secretary, Mr Yusuf, claimed it had nothing to do with politics or connivance.
He said the emir is a peace-loving person who has always explored ways of ensuring peace.
“He (Emir) has always been an advocate for peace. Contrary to rumour, Aleru didn’t beg for this title,” Mr Yusuf said.
He said the decision was taken after a peace meeting in Mada town earlier this year.
“After that particular meeting, Aleru and his boys came here to greet His Highness and expressed commitment to stop attacking people. He didn’t give any conditions, he said he was ready to extend the peace accord to other places. When he left, one of the council members advised that even with the commitment, the emirate should explore ways of holding Aleru and other bandits and that was how we came up with the decision to make him the Sarkin Fulani,” he said.
Yusuf said the decision was therefore communicated to the Tsafe Local Government Area and Zamfara State government.
“We couldn’t have done that without approval from the state government. We did it with the best of intentions and because we’ve seen the commitment so far. Our people can now go to the farm and nothing happens to them. It used to be very difficult for everyone. Nobody was safe from the bandits’ attacks but we hope that the peace we are enjoying now will continue,” he said.
