Bandits have abducted over 150 people and stolen more than 1,000 cattle in several villages within the Gobir Emirate of Sokoto State, as reported.
This incident comes just days after the death of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, who died in captivity after being kidnapped by bandits.
The late Emir, who was also the District Head of Gatawa, was abducted on July 29 alongside his son and six others on the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road. In a distressing video that later went viral, the Emir was seen pleading with the Sokoto State government, the Sultanate Council, and his relatives to pay the ransom demanded by his captors.
Despite his appeals, the ransom was not paid, and he was ultimately killed, sparking outrage in the community.
In an interview, Professor Bello Bada of the Department of English at Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, expressed deep concern over the resurgence of bandit activities in the area so soon after the Emir’s death.
He pointed out the troubling fact that some individuals in the community appear to have direct contact with the bandits, raising questions about their identities and the apparent lack of adequate security measures.
The most painful thing about it is that some important people in the area could access the telephone numbers of the bandits and could even have conversations with them,
Why do bandits go to markets freely and sell their cows in the area? Something is wrong. We should tell ourselves the truth. We have to sit down and address this problem for our children’s future, he stated.
Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni (North), confirmed that a total of 192 people have been abducted in recent days, with most of them still in captivity.
He also revealed that the bandits have effectively prevented residents from cultivating over 20,000 hectares of farmland, severely impacting the local economy.
Boza further criticised the lack of security presence in the most vulnerable areas of Sabon Birni, including Kwanar Maharba, Turtsawa, Unguwar Lalle, Tagirke, and Kwanar Tambazawa.
Kwanar Maharba is the most dangerous spot among all the spots I have mentioned. Banditry operation is taking place in this particular spot almost daily, he said.
In response to the growing crisis, Boza disclosed that he and the Sokoto State deputy governor are working to secure the deployment of an additional 1,200 soldiers to the state, focusing on Sabon Birni.
He expressed hope that this increased military presence would help to reduce banditry in the area.
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