As the residents of Gobir in Sokoto State grappled with the sorrow of losing their Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, who was recently murdered by bandits, the community faced yet another tragic ordeal.
According to a report by Vanguard, bandits reportedly struck the region again, abducting over 150 individuals, And the incident has sent shockwaves through the community and its neighbouring communities.
The disturbing news was confirmed by Professor Bello Bada, a university academic, during an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service.
Professor Bada expressed his deep concern over the persistent banditry in the area, attributing it to significant lapses from multiple quarters.
According to him, these lapses have emboldened the bandits, who have shown no fear in carrying out their heinous acts.
“This is not the first time a prominent monarch was attacked, but this is the first time a prominent monarch was murdered,” Professor Bada remarked, highlighting the severity of the situation.
He further emphasised the need for Nigerians to reconsider their approach to the escalating violence perpetrated by these bandits, who have consistently targeted innocent civilians.
Professor Bada also recounted previous instances where other traditional rulers had narrowly escaped death at the hands of these criminals.
“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,” he explained.
He went on to recall a tragic event in Zuru community, where a monarch was brutally slaughtered by bandits.
Despite the severity of these incidents, Professor Bada lamented that they are often forgotten too quickly, only for the bandits to strike again and increase the number of their victims, particularly in the Northern part of the country.
