Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto has removed 15 district traditional rulers over alleged insubordination, involvement in land racketeering, support for insecurity, and conversion of public assets for personal use.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, announced the removal in a statement released on Tuesday.

The affected district heads include those from Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, Ilela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu, and Giyawa.

Bawa also mentioned that the remaining six district heads were appointed by former Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

According to him, the traditional rulers were removed because of the way they were haphazardly appointed and their rejections by their people”.

“They include Marafan Tangaza, Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal, and Sarkin Yamman Torankavwa.”

The statement added that, “the cases involving district heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori and Gagi have been recommended for further investigations.”

However, a senior counsellor in the Suktanate Council, Sarkin Yakin Binji, was transferred to Nabunkari, while the district head of Sabon Birni was deployed to Gatawa.

The statement read: “Seven district heads have been retained. They include Aliyu Abubakar III,[ Chairman Sokoto], Ibrahim Maccido [Barayar Zaki] Abubakar Salame [Sarkin Arewan Salame], and Aminu Bello, [Sarkin Yamman Balle].

“Others were Mahmoud Yabo [Sarkin Gabas Dandin Mahe], Muntari Ambarura [Sarkin Gabas Ambarura], and Isa Rarah [Sarkin Gabas Rarah].

“Similarly, the district heads of Tsaki and Asare were also retained, while Abdulkadir Mujeli was reinstated as Sarkin Rafin Gumbi.”

Mr Bawa said the decision followed the recommendations made by the committee set up to review the appointments of traditional rulers, the renaming of tertiary institutions, and the dissolution of governing boards of state parastatals other than the statutory bodies.