The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has removed all Fulani district heads in the state and appointed indigenous Nupe traditional leaders in their place.
The move, described by the government as a major restructuring of the traditional system, affects officials previously known as _Ardos_. The governor said the changes are intended to address persistent security challenges and improve governance at the grassroots level.
In a statement outlining the decision, Governor Bago linked the shake-up to rising cases of kidnapping, attacks on farming communities, land disputes, and violent clashes.
He noted that the influx of herders from outside Nigeria had further heightened tensions in some areas. According to him, restoring indigenous authority is key to restoring order and protecting residents.
Under the new arrangement, village heads have been appointed or existing titles such as _Hakimi_ have been re-designated to assume leadership roles in the affected districts.
The administration said this will place traditional authority closer to local communities and enhance intelligence gathering and conflict resolution.
The governor stressed that the decision is not targeted at any ethnic group, but is aimed at strengthening security and ensuring that traditional institutions serve the interest of all citizens.
He urged residents to cooperate with the new leadership structure as the state works to curb violence and promote peaceful coexistence.
