Home / Lead Story / Bandits kidnap Sokoto Traditional Leader, son, 6 others, demand N1bn ransom
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State

Bandits kidnap Sokoto Traditional Leader, son, 6 others, demand N1bn ransom

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto 

In a brazen affront to the Sokoto Community Guard and the conventional security agencies in the state, a group of bandits have whisked away Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, his son and six others and are demanding a ransom of six billion Naira.

The Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District, Muhammad Bawa and his son were ambushed and intercepted around Kwanar Maharba while on their way from Sokoto town to Sabon Birnin.

Lamenting the development, Alhaji Isa Gobira, a son of the kidnapped traditional leader said the security situation especially in the Eastern Senatorial axis of the state is very disturbing. 

Giving insight into how the incident happened, Alhaji Isa Gobir said that on sighting the traditional leader’s vehicle, the bandits opened fire and shot  the tires of the vehicle thus making the driver to loss control of the car and stop. 

The bandits then abducted the district head and his driver who happens to be his biological son.

Alhaji Isa appealed to the government to do everything possible to ensure the release of the victims and all others in the bandits’ den.

Confirming the incident, Sokoto state Police Command spokesperson, ASP Ahmed Rufai’ said they are aware of the ugly situation, adding that, investigations and efforts are on top gear to rescue all those kidnapped and apprehend the perpetrators.

Decrying the fact that the region has been under siege by bandits for so long, a resident of Sabon Birnin local government area who gave his name as Umar Mohammed Maikulki said said the federal government that is in charge of the relevant security agencies seems to be woefully failing in it’s constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and properties of ordinary Nigerians. 

“When the APC came up in 2014, their greatest weapon then was that every part of Nigeria will be safe and secure under their watch. Though, the insecurity then was majorly in one or two states of the north east. 

“We, the electorates blindly believed and voted them into power on that deceptive promise. But, surprisingly, our hopes were not only dashed but dismissed as insecurity has grown worse under the watch of the APC led government from the time of Buhari till now that President Tinubu is in office. It is, indeed, a continuation of Buhari’s policies. 

“Our only message to the government is that they should put on their thinking cap and find a lasting solution to this consistent insecurity before it degenerates to the point where Nigerians will be forced to defend themselves at all costs. 

“By the time it gets to that level, my fear is that anarchy might set, since no sane person will continue to watch few heartless individuals unleash mayhem on his people without any provocation and not respond in the appropriate language they will understand.” 

About Global Patriot Staff

Check Also

Thoughts on the opposition By Dakuku Peterside

Like other liberal democracies, Nigeria’s democratic system thrives on the existence of a vibrant and …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *