Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal approved the appointment of Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello as the new Emir and Sarkin Katsina of Gusau Emirate on Monday, July 28, 2025, following the death of his father, His Royal Highness Dr. Ibrahim Bello, on July 25, 2025, after a decade-long reign. Alhaji Abdulkadir, the eldest son of the late Emir and former holder of the traditional title Bunun Gusau, ascends as the 16th Emir, selected based on the recommendation of the Gusau Emirate kingmakers in line with established customs and laws, as announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada. Governor Lawal urged the new Emir to uphold his father’s legacy and promote unity, stating, “I urge you to be a beacon of peace and development across Zamfara”.
The appointment has elicited varied reactions on X, with users praising the swift selection as a sign of stability, while others calling for the new Emir to address Zamfara’s security challenges, given the state’s ongoing banditry issues. Alhaji Abdulkadir, a direct descendant of Malam Sambo Dan Ashafa, the Emirate’s founder, is expected to leverage his experience to foster peace, especially as Zamfara grapples with over 100 Community Watch Corps and 30 policemen killed by bandits since 2024, as noted by Blueprint Newspapers. The governor expressed confidence in the new Emir’s ability to bring wisdom and continuity, aligning with efforts to stabilize the region through initiatives like the recently launched Community Protection Guards.
