Sokoto sacks 15 district heads for ‘aiding insecurity, land racketeering’

Ahmad Aliyu, governor of Sokoto, has sacked 15 district heads for allegedly aiding insecurity and engaging in land racketeering. 

The governor also said the previous administration did not follow due process in the appointment of the district heads.

In a statement on Tuesday by Abubakar Bawa, press secretary to the governor, Aliyu approved the reinstatement of seven district heads and placed four others under investigation.

He said the reinstatement and dethronement was based on the recommendation of the committee set up to review the appointments of traditional rulers in the state.

The governor approved the transfer of  Binji and Sabon Birni district heads to Gatawa and Bunkari ward.

“His excellency the executive governor of Sokoto state, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, PhD, FCNA has approved the implementation of the recommendations made by the committee set up to review the appointments of traditional rulers, renaming of tertiary institutions and the dissolution of governing boards of state parastatals other than the Statutory bodies,” the statement reads.

“The district heads of Tsaki and Asara are to retain their positions. The cases involving district heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori and Gagi have been recommended for further investigations.

“Alh. Sama’ila Abdulkadir Mujeli is to return to his former post as Sarkin Rafin Gumbi.

“Nine (9) district heads namely; Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, Illela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu, and Giyawa are hereby relieved of their appointments, for various offences bordering on insubordination, aiding insecurity, land racketeering, conversion of public properties for personal use, and in the overriding public interest.

“Similarly, six (6) district heads namely; Marafan Tangaza.Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal and Sarkin Yamman Torankawa are hereby dropped for the haphazard and unprocedural processes in their appointments by the immediate past administration as well as their total rejection by their subjects.”

The seven district heads retained include Aliyu Abubakar III, Ibrahim Dasuki Moh’d Maccido, Abubakar Buhari Salame, Aminu Aliyu Bello, and Mahmud Shehu Yabo Mahe.

Others are Muntari Muhammad Tukur Ambarura Ambarura, and Malam Isah Aliyu Rarah.