The Emir of Gobir in Gawata town of Sokoto state, Isah Bawa, has been killed by bandits after being held captive for three weeks.
Shuaibu Gobir, the Magaji of the town, told BBC Hausa that they received the news of the traditional ruler’s death on Tuesday.
According to the report, the Emir was kidnapped at the Kwanar Maharba area in Sokoto on his way from an event three weeks ago. A few days after he was abducted, the hoodlums released a viral video of the Emir begging for the intervention of the state government and acquittance to pay the ransom for his release.
“My brothers and sisters, friends, and the state government, I am informing you that I have reached the deadline today. I am pleading with you all to help me,” he said.
“These people (bandits) are tired of us and have done their best to ensure the government intervened in my situation, but nothing has been done.
Gobir said that the Emir was killed on Tuesday after the Asr prayer, adding that those who went to negotiate the ransom found the dead body on the ground.
“The information I received is that the gunmen shot him yesterday [Tuesday] after the Asr prayer, and those who went to negotiate the ransom saw the emir’s body lying on the ground,” he said.
He said the remains of the traditional ruler have not been recovered; he added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the son of the Emir who was also abducted.
When the police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai was contacted, he said the family of the deceased had not yet reported his death at the station.
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