The Katsina State Police Command on Monday said Ado Aleru, a bandit kingpin, who was at the weekend conferred with a chieftaincy title in Zamfara State, is still on its wanted list.
THE WITNESS had reported that the Emir of Yandoto Daji in Zamafara, Aliyu Marafa, turbaned Aleru as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulanis) in a bid to forestall attacks by non-state armed groups on his territory. Sources say that more than 100 bandits attended the turbaning ceremony.
The police command had in June declared the 47-year-old Aleru of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State wanted, placing a bounty of N5 million on him, dead or alive. The suspect is accused to be a notorious leader of groups of bandits terrorising communities in Katsina and Zamfara states.
Days before he was declared wanted by the police, Aleru reportedly led a group of bandits to attack Kadisau village on June 9. The armed men, numbering over 200 and armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the village on motorbikes. At least 20 villagers were killed with many others left injured during the attack.
But Gambo Isah, the spokesman for the command, told Channels Television on Monday while reacting to the chieftaincy title, that the command had declared Aleru wanted for crimes such as culpable homicide, terrorism, armed robbery, and kidnapping in Katsina.
Isah added that Aleru is also wanted for the killing of over 100 residents of Kadisau village in Faskari Local Government Area of the state.
Meanwhile, the government of Zamfara State has suspended Emir Daji.
Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Sardauna, announced the suspension in a statement on Sunday.