Fear as video of kidnapped traditional ruler in blood surfaces online

Fear as video of kidnapped traditional ruler in blood surfaces online

Bandits have released a chilling video of the kidnapped District Head of Gatawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Isa Muhammad Bawa.

The video circulating online shows the monarch, who has been held captive for 22 days, dressed in a bloodstained white robe with his hands tied behind his back.

Though the authenticity of the video remains unconfirmed by independent sources, Aminu Boza, a representative of Sabon Birni in the State House of Assembly, verified that the man in the footage is indeed Bawa.

In the video, Bawa urgently called on his loved ones, friends, and government officials to act swiftly, noting that Wednesday marked the final day given by the kidnappers for his ransom to be paid.

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“I swear by the Almighty Allah that even the bandits are exhausted, having done all they could, but the government’s assistance is nowhere in sight,” Bawa lamented. He highlighted his long-standing service in the traditional institution, having dedicated 45 years of his life to the government.

The 74-year-old traditional leader was abducted along with his son and younger brother at Kwanan Maharba on the Goronyo-Sabon Birni road while returning from Sokoto.

Bawa previously held the title of Sarkin Gobir Sabon Birni before assuming his current position as the District Head of Gatawa.

The bandits initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion but later reduced it to N500 million. As the deadline has now passed, the fate of the monarch remains uncertain.

Fear as video of kidnapped traditional ruler in blood surfaces online

(DAILY TRUST)