The Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, Bello Suleiman, has died.
The monarch’s death was announced by the palace in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the Emir died on Monday afternoon at the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Suleiman spent about five years on the traditional throne before his death.
He succeeded his uncle, Abubakar Atiku, who was deposed by the Zamfara State Government in 2021 and formally removed from office in April 2022.
Atiku was removed alongside the Emir of Dansadau, Hussaini Umar, over alleged links to banditry and interference with security operations.
Atiku later died at a hospital in Egypt.
The late Emir also ruled during a period of serious security challenges in Zurmi.
In May 2024, bandits reportedly attacked Zurmi, ransacked the emir’s palace, killed three security personnel stationed at the palace gate and abducted several residents.
Those abducted included the emir’s chief detail, known as Shamaki, Buhari Yusuf, as well as Aliyu Ahmed and Sa’idu Lawali.
Residents alleged at the time that the bandits accused the late monarch of being indifferent to the alleged maltreatment of Fulani residents by local vigilantes.
Zurmi is located near the border with the Niger Republic and also shares a boundary with Katsina State.
The town is the second most populous in Zamfara State after Gusau.
