By Awwal Umar Kontagora At least 150 people have reportedly been kidnapped following a recent bandit attack in Gobir, Sokoto State. This inc...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
At least 150 people have reportedly been kidnapped following a recent bandit attack in Gobir, Sokoto State. This incident occurred amid mourning for the death of their Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, who was killed by bandits.
In an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna on Sunday, Professor Bello Bada, a university academic, attributed the escalating bandit activities to various lapses from multiple quarters. He noted that such lapses had previously emboldened bandits to even threaten to kidnap former President Buhari during his tenure.
Professor Bada stated, “This is not the first time a prominent monarch has been attacked, but it is the first time a prominent monarch has been murdered.” He described the murder of the Emir of Gobir as a humiliation for all Nigerians and called for a reassessment of the ongoing banditry that continues to claim lives intermittently.
He recalled, “Bandits previously attempted to kill the Emir of Potiskum on his way to Zaria, but he narrowly escaped. The Emir of Kauran Namoda also escaped death, though members of his entourage were killed. In Zuru community, a monarch was slaughtered by these bandits, but such heinous acts are soon forgotten until the bandits strike again.”
Professor Bada emphasized that these criminal acts should not be allowed to become a recurring issue, alleging that the sources of the bandits are well known but that appropriate actions against them are lacking.
Security analyst Dr. Yahuza Getso criticized the security operatives for their complacency, which he said allowed the late Emir of Gobir to be murdered after spending over three weeks in captivity. He called for accountability and punishment for those responsible.
Dr. Getso warned of growing tension in the Gobir community following the Emir's murder, noting that the banditry has deepened divisions among the local Gobirawa, Hausa, and Fulani people. He asserted, “The leaders of these bandits terrorizing the Northwest are well known, including their origins, parents, and logistic suppliers. We believe that security operatives have the expertise to address this problem effectively, but it seems political leaders are not providing the necessary support to overcome this menace.”
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