Bauchi gov suspends first-class monarch over farmers-herders crisis

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, has suspended Ahmed Suleiman, first-class emir of Misau, over a clash between farmers and herders.

On Monday, nine people were reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries during a clash between the two groups in Zadawa village of Misau local government area of the state.

It was reported that the clash was over the ownership of a land where herders have been grazing for a while, but was allegedly converted to farming land by the local government authorities.

On Friday, the governor suspended the emir, alongside two other traditional rulers — Yusuf Atiku, district head of Chiroma and Bappa Ahmed, the village head of Zadawa.

Mohammed announced the suspension at the government house, during the inauguration of a 13-man investigative panel tasked with the responsibility of identifying the cause of the crisis.

The governor said the suspension is to allow the investigative panel carry out its responsibility without undue interference.

He added that the suspended traditional rulers are to remain in the local government are and subject themselves for questioning when called upon.

“Following the receipt of additional petitions that we have at our disposal from some communities, we have decided to suspend the relevant traditional institutions in the area so that they will not interfere with the work of the investigation committee,” he said.

“The traditional institutions include His Royal Highness, the Emir of Misau, the District Head of Chiroma (the Chiroma Misau), the Village Head of Zadawa or his representative.

“This officers or traditional rulers are hereby suspended and they will remain in Misau. They are not allowed to go anywhere and they are to subject themselves to the Administrative Inquiry Committee pending the time it is over.

“I am indeed convinced with the caliber of this committee, especially its members. They will investigate the root cause of this unfortunate happening and other areas I mentioned, where this is likely to happen due to injustice and inequality and abuse of Land-Use Act.

“The committee would also look into abuse of land that are reserved and those that are for the Fulani people that had been confiscated without due regard to the law.”

The governor had earlier suspended Yaro Mohammed Gwaram, the caretaker chairman of Misau LGA, over the clash between the two groups.

Mohammed said anyone found to be directly or indirectly involved in the clash will be dealt with in accordance with the law.