The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar, has fired the village head of Mantau in Yarmaulu community, Baure Local Government Area of Katsina State, Iliya Mantu, over allegations of involvement in the kidnap and rape of a married woman.
The married woman, simply identified as Zulaihatu, was abducted along with her nursing baby sometime last year by unidentified persons.
While in captivity, the woman was said to have been raped severally by her abductors and was later released after a N20 million ransom was said to have been paid.
But relations of the woman were said to have gone to court over the incident, with the village head said to have been fingered as being the brain behind her abduction.
The incident led to protests last week by youths in the community, who accused the deposed village head of suspected complicity in the incident. Following these developments, the emir deposed the village head on Monday evening. The emir said the emirate would not tolerate any form of abuse against the common people, not minding how highly placed the abuser might be.
“This emirate has previously removed a traditional leader it had appointed, and even Sarki Abdurrahman (former emir) once ordered the imprisonment of his own son over wrongdoing. That is why we will never condone the abuse of anyone,” he said.
He added that the emirate remains open to all residents who wish to file complaints or report injustices meted out to them within the emirate’s jurisdiction.
“If anyone feels wronged, even if it’s my own child who is responsible, they should come forward and present their complaint to the emirate. This is an emirate of the people,” he added. The emir said a new village head would soon be appointed to replace the deposed village head, even as he hoped the replacement head would administer his duties with justice and fairness.
He, however, warned the public against spreading unfounded rumours and encouraged them to abide by the law, as well as ensure they file their complaints through appropriate legal channels.
THE GUARDIAN
