Security: Zamfara Assembly Suspends LG Chairman, District Head

Zamfara State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Maradun Local Government Council, Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar for allegedly working against the state government’s directive on security matters.

Governor Bello Matawalle had initiated peace dialogue with bandits as part of measures to address security challenges facing the state.

The governor also banned extra-judicial killings of Fulani herders or attacking them across the state.

The suspension was announced by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya yesterday at plenary following a petition sent to the assembly against the council chairman by six concerned citizens of Maradun Local Government Area.

The petition was signed by Bello Abdullahi, Tsibiri district; Amiru Sa’idu, Kaya district; Musa Muhammad, Damaga/ Gamagiwa district; Mu’awiya Sardauna, Faru district; Aliyu M-Sulaiman, Gora district and Bashiru Saleh, Gidangoga disrict.

The petitioners had accused the Chairman of lack of concern to the peace efforts of government and failing to discharge his duties as chief security officer of the local government.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the house, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayaro to read the petition during the sitting.

Contributing to the matter, the Majority Leader, Alhaji Faruk Dosara said apart from the petition, the assembly had also received various complains against the council chairman over lingering security issues in the area.

Dosara who represents Maradun I constituency, alleged that the chairman is conniving with members of vigilante groups to chase away fulani herders from Maradun, contrary to the state government directive to allow fulani herders move freely in the state.

The majority leader further alleged that the action of the council chairman was responsible for the lingering security challenges in the local government area.

He therefore urged the house to suspend the council chairman and allow the vice chairman of the council to take over pending investigation into the matter.