Emir of Zurmi, Bello Suleiman, D!es

The Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, Bello Suleiman, has reportedly passed away at the age of five years on the throne.

According to a statement issued by the palace on Monday, the traditional ruler died in the afternoon at the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

The palace did not disclose the cause of his death as of the time of filing this report.

Suleiman had spent about five years as the Emir of Zurmi before his death. He ascended the throne following the removal of his uncle, Abubakar Atiku, by the Zamfara State Government.

Atiku was deposed in 2021 and formally removed from the traditional institution in April 2022 alongside the Emir of Dansadau, Hussaini Umar. Their removal followed allegations of links to banditry and interference with security operations, allegations that had generated controversy in the state.

Atiku later died at a hospital in Egypt.

The Zurmi Emirate has also faced security challenges in recent years. In May 2024, bandits reportedly attacked Zurmi, invading the emir’s palace and killing three security personnel stationed at the entrance.

Several residents were also abducted during the attack, including the emir’s chief detail, Buhari Yusuf, as well as Aliyu Ahmed and Sa’idu Lawali.

Residents said the attackers accused the late monarch of failing to intervene over what they described as the alleged maltreatment of Fulani residents by local vigilantes.

The death of Emir Bello Suleiman is expected to trigger mourning across Zurmi and the wider Zamfara traditional institution.

Zurmi is situated close to Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic and shares a boundary with Katsina State. The town is regarded as the second-most populous settlement in Zamfara State after Gusau.