Sarkin Pawwan Katsina, the district head of Kankara, Yusuf Lawan, has been sacked from his throne following his involvement in banditry, Mamman Ifo,the secretary of the Katsina Emirate announced.

Mr Lawan, the traditional ruler of Kankara, the Katsina community where over 300 students were kidnapped last December had earlier been suspended by the traditional council on allegations of his ties with bandits.

Mr Ifo said a panel set up to investigate Mr Lawan found him guilty of aiding and abetting banditry in his community three weeks ago.

The committee’s report also found him guilty of frustrating efforts to deal with the bandits. 

Mr Ifo disclosed that following Mr Lawan’s indictment, the state government sent a letter to Emir of Katsina, Abdulmuminu Usman, ordering his dismissal.

The investigative committee which was chaired by the Kauran Katsina and district head of Rimi arrived at the decision after it met with security officials and other stakeholders in the Kankara district.

Mr Lawan is the first district head to be suspended in Katsina State since banditry started.

Mr Ifo said a new district head for Kankara would be announced soon.