President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the passing of Isa Bawa, the leader of Gatawa district in Sokoto’s Sabon Birni area.
News About Nigeria reports that Bawa’s life was tragically cut short while being held captive by his abductors.
In a statement released on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale shared President Tinubu’s condemnation of the brutal attack on the traditional leader, calling it a horrifying and reprehensible act that demands a strong response.
The president also denounced the heartbreaking events that led to the monarch’s untimely death.
Ngelale added that President Tinubu offers his deepest sympathies to the grieving family, the Gobir Emirate, and the Sokoto State government, and prayed for the traditional ruler’s soul to rest in peace and for comfort to be bestowed upon his loved ones during this challenging time.
President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his administration is actively working to eliminate security threats and effectively combat these desperate acts of terrorism.
Prior to his passing, Bawa had made a desperate plea for help from the state government and kind-hearted individuals to secure his freedom.
The traditional leader was taken captive, along with his son, brother, and six other individuals, while traveling on the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road approximately three weeks ago.
In a distressing video that surfaced on social media on Saturday and was obtained by our reporter, the 74-year-old monarch made a heartfelt appeal to be freed from his captors’ grasp.
Bawa and his son were abducted by bandits in July while travelling from Sokoto to Sabon Birni.
The lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Almustapha Boza confirmed the monarch’s death.
He disclosed that a ransom of N60 million and some new motorcycles were demanded by the bandits.
Boza said a team sent to deliver the ransom demanded by the bandits met his (Bawa’s) corpse but were able to retrieve his son.
