In a tragic and shocking turn of events, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, has been brutally killed by bandits just days after appearing in a video pleading for his life.
The traditional ruler, who was abducted along with his son in July, had been held captive by terrorists in the forests of Sokoto State.
The tragic development was announced on social media by Idris4Peace on Wednesday afternoon 21, August.
According to his post, the bandits released a harrowing video showing the monarch being tortured and dehumanized before he was ultimately executed.
In the video, the visibly distressed leader desperately appealed to the government for assistance, begging for his life and that of his son.
The abduction occurred in July when Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa and his son were travelling from Sokoto to Sabon Birni, the headquarters of Sabon Birni local government area.
The incident happened at Kwanar Maharba, where the bandits ambushed the Emir’s vehicle, shooting at it and causing the driver to lose control.
Both the traditional ruler and his son were taken hostage by the terrorists, who later demanded a ransom of N1 billion for their release.
In the video released by the bandits, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, speaking in Hausa, narrated the dire conditions they were facing in captivity and the constant danger to their lives.
He made an emotional plea to the government, urging them to act swiftly to secure their release. One of the gunmen, also speaking in Hausa, could be heard dictating to the victims what to say during the recording.
This brutal killing has sparked outrage and sorrow across the region, as the late Sarkin Gobir was a respected figure in Sokoto State. His death underscores the escalating insecurity in the region, where banditry and kidnappings have become increasingly rampant.
The government has yet to respond to the tragic news, but the incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for decisive action to combat the growing threat of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
