Bandits invade Sokoto community, kidnap over 150 residents amid mourning of murdered Emir

In a tragic development, bandits have reportedly invaded the Gobir community in Sokoto State, kidnapping over 150 people as residents mourn the recent murder of their Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa.

The chilling attack comes shortly after the Emir’s death at the hands of these same criminal elements.

Professor Bello Bada, a university academic, revealed this alarming information during an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service, monitored in Kaduna on Sunday. Prof. Bada attributed the growing audacity of the bandits to several lapses in security and governance, which have emboldened the criminals to carry out such brazen acts.

He further alleged that these lapses had previously emboldened the bandits to even threaten the kidnapping of former President Muhammadu Buhari while he was still in office.

According to him, ” this is not the first time a prominent monarch was attacked, but this is the first time a prominent monarch was murdered.”

Professor Bada who said the murder of the Emir of Gobir was a humiliation to all Nigerians, added that now is the time for Nigerians to have a rethink on the nefarious acts of these bandits who have continued to kill people intermittently.

” The bandits had made a similar attempt on the life of the Emir of Potiskum while he was on the way to Zaria but he narrowly escaped. The Emir of Kauran Namoda escaped death by whiskers, but members of his entourage were killed by the bandits.”

“In Zuru community, a monarch was slaughtered by these bandits, but after some few days, these heinous acts would be completely forgotten as if nothing ever happened, until the bandits strike again. “

The University Don said such acts should not be left unchecked and allowed to become a recurring decimal, alleging that ” where these bandits are coming from is well known but the appropriate action against them is not well taken. “

Meanwhile, a security analyst, Dr Yahuza Getso has said that the security operatives who were complacent and allowed the late Emir of Gobir to be murdered by bandits after spending over 3 weeks in captivity, should be punished.

He warned that there was palpable tension in Gobir community after the gruesome murder of the Emir, as the activities of the bandits have caused deep division among the native Gobirawa, Hausa and the Fulani people in the area.

” The leaders of these bandits terrorising the Northwest region are well known, their places of origin are known, their parents and these who supply them with means of logistic are all known.”

” We all have agreed that the security operatives have the expertise to face this problem head on and bring it to an end. It appears the political leaders are not giving them the support they need to overcome this menace,” he alleged.