The youths in Sokoto State have taken to the streets of Gatawa community to protest the killing of their traditional ruler, Isa Muhammad Bawa, by suspected bandits, News About Nigeria reports.
On Thursday, the youth embarked on a protest, singing anti-government songs, in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, shortly after Bawa was buried.
The district head was killed on Wednesday before the ransom could reach the bandits.
The lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North LG in the state House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, who confirmed the news of his death on Wednesday, stated that the team dispatched to deliver the ransom of N60 million and five motorcycles demanded by the bandits was told he was dead upon arrival.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that he is dead; they have killed him.
“Even those who went there to deliver the ransom couldn’t meet him alive; they only came back with his son, who was abducted together with him and we are on our way to the hospital now for treatment,” he had stated.
However, the youths of the community alleged that the state government did not do enough to ensure the monarch returned to his family safely.
They also accused some political leaders, especially those from the local government, of purposely allowing the district head to suffer at the hands of the kidnappers before he was killed.
The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police command, ASP Ahmed Rufai, when contacted, assured the people that the command was on top of the situation.
He stated, “We have prepared ahead for this, as it was revealed through intelligence. Since morning, when the funeral prayer was about to be conducted. The command dispatched a tactical team from about three to four local governments close to Sabon Birni to join the team in the local government.
“We are already taking control of the protests to ensure they don’t lead to a crisis.”
A funeral prayer was held in honour of the late District Head in Gatawa town.
