The kidnapped district head of Gatawa in Sokoto state, Sarkin Gobir Isa Bawa, has been killed by bandits.
The monarch was kidnapped by bandits on July 27, 2024.
This was confirmed by a brother of the slain monarch, Ubandoman Sabon Birni, Kani Ubandoma.
He said the district head died Tuesday evening.
“It was a traditional ruler in Zamfara who broke the news about his death to us,” Ubandoma said.
“But his son, Kabiru and younger brother are still alive based on the information revealed to us,” the brother said.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE learnt that there was a move by the family to take the N60 million ransom and motorcycles demanded by bandits on Wednesday.
“Yes our brothers were about to take the money and the motorcycles to them when we were called by the traditional ruler who asked us not to go because Sarkin Gobir is dead,” he said.
Another traditional title holder in Sabon Birni, Gwanda Gobir, who confirmed the death said, “they didn’t let us speak to him for days.
“Anytime we called, they would tell us Sarkin Gobir is not feeling fine and could not talk.
“But they allowed us to speak to his son who was abducted with him and he told us Sarkin Gobir hae been taken somewhere for treatment because was suffering from catarrh.
“We know they forced him to talk to us like that, because they wanted to get the money before revealing the death to us.”
When contacted, the Public Relation Officer of Sokoto Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, denied knowledge of the death of the monarch.
He, however, promised to call because if it is confirmed.
