At least 150 civilians have been kidnapped in Gobir, Sokoto State by bandits less than a week after they murdered Sarkin Gobir Isa Muhammadu Bawa.
Professor Bello Bada of the Department of English, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, has confirmed that the militants have struck again in Gobir.
Alhaji Bawa, who was also the District Head of Gatawa, was kidnapped and later killed after more than a month in captivity.
A day before his murder, Sarkin Gobir was seen in a video begging the state government and relatives to come to his aid by paying the demanded ransom.
A ransom of N60 million and five motorcycles was paid after the murder of the monarch to secure the release of his son Kabiru.
“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? It means the bandits are known,” the don said in an interview with Daily Trust.
He said the bandits carted away over 1,000 cows during the latest attack.
“People in the area go for negotiation with bandits; it means they know where they are. Why do bandits go to markets freely and sell their cows in the area ?
“Why is it that in the area about 1,000 cows were carted away by bandits? Do the cows have wings to fly? What about our intelligence? How did the bandits pass through villages and towns without being noticed?
“They are taking the rustled cattle into the bush while at the same time, residents of some communities within the district are inside the same bush mining for gold. No, something is wrong. We should tell ourselves the truth. We have to sit down and address this problem for the future of our children”, the professor said.
Alao, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni (North), Aminu Boza, said a total of 151 people were abducted between Tsamaye and Sabon Birni.
“A day after the death of Sarkin Gobir, the bandits attacked Tsamaye village again, killing some people and abducting unspecified others.
“They also attacked Yanfaruna village and abducted 22 people and they went to the next village and abducted 11 people.
“So, a total of 192 people have been abducted and they are still in captivity,” the legislator said.
