Isa Mohammed Bawa, the Sokoto monarch who was kidnapped in July along the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road of Sokoto State and appealed to the government for help in a viral video, has been killed by the terrorists holding him.
According to BBC Hausa, the 74-year-old Sokoto monarch, who had worked for the government for nearly 45 years as a traditional ruler, was killed on Tuesday. This was three days after the video of him calling the government to intervene went viral.
“The news I got is that the bandits shot him on Tuesday afternoon, and those who went to discuss the payment of the ransom saw the king’s body lying there,” Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir, the mayor of Gobir, told BBC Hausa on Wednesday.
READ MORE: VIDEO: ‘I Pleaded With Government to Intervene, They Didn’t’ — Sokoto Monarch Speaks From Kidnappers’ Den
The monarch’s abductors had requested a N1 billion ransom payment to secure the release of the monarch and others who were being held captive. When his relatives could not provide the ransom at the deadline given by the abductors, the terrorists proceeded to make a video of the monarch in captivity and post it on social media.
On Sunday, FIJ published a report on the video of the monarch while in the kidnapper’s den. In the video, the visibly distressed monarch appealed to the government.
“I want to inform my relatives, friends, well-wishers and the government that today, Wednesday, is the deadline,” he said in the viral video.
“If they really want to help me, they should help me, please. These people are tired of us and have exhausted their options, but the government did not intervene. I pleaded with the government to intervene, but they didn’t.”
READ ALSO: In 8 Months, Kidnappers Struck Benue Highway at Least 6 Times. All Happened on Thursdays
Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the entire community of Gobir Emirate and the government of Sokoto State on the tragic loss of Sarkin Gobir, HRH Alh. Isa Bawa, District Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni…— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) August 21, 2024
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president of Nigeria and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, shared a condolence message on Wednesday.
“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the entire community of Gobir Emirate and the government of Sokoto State on the tragic loss of Sarkin Gobir, HRH Alh. Isa Bawa, District Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni Local Government,” Abubakar posted on social media.
“The heinous act of violence perpetrated by bandits resulting in the untimely demise of such a revered leader is a stark reminder of the pressing need for enhanced security measures in safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.”
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