Traditional ruler still in captivity after 22 days – Almustapha

The traditional ruler of the former Gobir Kingdom, who was recently moved to the Gatawa District, remains in custody 22 days after he and his biological son from Sokoto were ambushed by alleged gunmen while traveling to their new district.

Following the publication of a video clip showing his kidnappers dehumanizing him and appealing for mercy, Hon. Aminu Almustapha (Boza), a member of the state house of assembly representing the area, verified to our correspondents.

He claimed that after making several pleas, the alleged gunmen lowered their initial ransom demand of 900 million naira to 500 million naira.

“The amount is do outrageus, who will afford that?, ” Let Authorities intervene before it’s too late,

Alhaji Isah Muhammad Bawa Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district was abducted by suspected Gunmen alongside his biological son while returning from Sokoto on Sabon Birni road in July 2024.

According to the public relations officer of the Sokoto state police Command, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i special operatives from the command are making frantic efforts to secure the release of the traditional ruler unharmed from his captors.

An elder son of the victim,Alhaji Isa Sarkin Gobir also confirmed the incident saying that the district head was ambushed at Kwanar Maharba area by Gunmen while on transit from Sokoto to his home town Sabon Birni town, headquarters of Sabon Birni local government area.

Gobir further said the bandits on sighting the emir’s vehicle started shooting sporadically as a result tyres of the vehicle busted and driver lost control and forced the car to a sudden stop.

The suspected gunmen who wee believed to be bandits abducted.my father, the district head and his driver who happen to be his biological son and my immediate brother.

He appealed to government and other well meaning leaders of this country to do everything possible to ensure the release of the traditional rules and those held captive around the country.

Local sources in Sabon Birni said the incident has sparked outrage and concern among residents, who are calling on authorities to take action.

The aggrieved people of the area also informed that additional five persons were kidnapped in Sabon Birni area on the same day with the district head and were still held captives.

“This is happening as the security challenges in Nigeria continue to worsen, despite efforts by authorities to address the situation”,

“The kidnapping incident is the most recent in the series of kidnapping and abduction in the eastern part of the state which has been plagued by banditry and kidnapping for Ransome, almost a decade now”,

“Rural communities in the area have been criticizing government for.not doing enough in the handling of insecurity and with much growing concern that the challenges are getting out of control”,

“The government has promised to address the issue, but so far, there has been no tangible progress”,

“The security situation in the northwest is very complex and challenging which requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address effectively.”