Emir of Zurmi, Bello Suleiman, has passed away

The Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, Bello Suleiman, has died.

A statement from the palace revealed that the traditional ruler passed away on Monday afternoon at the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau, the state capital.

He ruled for five years before his death.

He took over from his uncle, Abubakar Atiku. Atiku was removed by the state government in 2021 and formally ousted in April 2022. He was accused of links to banditry and interfering with security efforts.

Mr Atiku later died in a hospital in Egypt.

In May 2024, bandits attacked Zurmi, looted the emir’s palace, killed three security personnel at the gate, and kidnapped several residents. Among those taken was the emir’s chief detail, Buhari Yusuf, along with two other men, Aliyu Ahmed and Sa’idu Lawali.

During the attack, the bandits damaged a local MTN telecommunications facility. This was to disrupt communication and stop security reinforcements. They were reportedly targeting Mr Suleiman for abduction.

Residents said the attackers claimed the late emir did nothing about the alleged maltreatment of Fulani residents by local vigilantes.

Zurmi is located near the border with Niger Republic and shares a boundary with Katsina State. It is the second most populated town in Zamfara State after Gusau.