There were pomp and pageantry in Tsafe town as Emir of Yandoton Daji Emirate in Zamfara State Aliyu Marafa turbaned a wanted bandit leader, Adamu Aliero-Yankuzo, aka Ado Alero, as Sarkin Fulani of the emirate.
The ceremony came barely two years after the police declared the terrorist leader wanted and placed N5 million bounty on him.
Mr Alero is the leader of one of the ruthless groups responsible for the killings, maiming and kidnappings in local communities of Zamfara and Katsina States.
Abdul Balarabe, a journalist familiar with the development, said the event took place on Saturday amid wild celebration of motorbike stunts.
“Finally, notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aleru turbaned as Sarkin Fulani (The King of Fulani) of Yandoton Daji Emirate in Zamfara State. It took place around 3:30pm today Saturday 16th July, 2022.
“Ado Aleru is the leader of the bandit group that is terrorizing both the Katsina and Zamfara communities.
“He was declared wanted by the Katsina Police Command in 2019 with a bounty of 5 million Naira on his head,” Mr Balarabe posted on his Twitter handle, @abdul_donjay.
In June 2020, the then Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Sanusi Buba, while declaring Mr Alero wanted said: “The command hereby wishes to declare Adamu Aliero, 45, of Yankuzo village of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State wanted.
“Aliero, is a notorious leader of groups of bandits terrorising Katsina and Zamfara States.
“Similarly, the command has placed bounty of N5 million on his head, dead or alive.
“Any person or group of persons that have useful information that may lead to his arrest, should please report to the nearest police station or call these numbers: 08033666059 or 08035448128 or 08076666207,” he told reporters
Yandoton Daji is one of the two new emirates created by state government in May alongside Bazai.
According to the state governor, Bello Matawalle, the establishment of the new emirates “will strengthen the quality of traditional leadership at the grassroots level”.
Sources however said, the decision to make the terrorist leader a traditional title holder was aimed at finding a lasting peace in the area, following devastating attacks by the Alero gang.
When DAILY NIGERIAN contacted the Commissioner for Internal Security in Zamfara State, Mamman Tsafe, he declined to comment on the matter.
Attempts to speak to the commissioner for Information in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Dosara were unsuccessful as he didn’t pick calls nor return message sent to him.
