Bandits have recently abducted over 150 people and rustled more than 1,000 cattle from several villages in the Gobir Emirate of Sokoto State
This surge in violence comes just days after the death of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, who was also the District Head of Gatawa. The Emir, along with his son and six others, was kidnapped on July 29 while traveling on the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road. A viral video showed the Emir pleading for help to secure the ransom demanded by his captors. He was ultimately killed after the ransom deadline passed.
Following the Emir’s death, local youths staged protests, prompting the state government to impose a curfew in Sabon Birni.
Professor Bello Bada from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, expressed frustration over the recent abductions, noting that some locals have had direct communication with the bandits, raising questions about the bandits’ known whereabouts and the effectiveness of local security measures.
Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni (North), reported that a total of 151 people were abducted between Tsamaye and Sabon Birni. The bandits attacked Tsamaye village the day after the Emir’s death, killing several and abducting more people. Additional attacks in Yanfaruna village resulted in 22 more abductions, and another village saw 11 people taken. In total, 192 people remain in captivity, and over 20,000 hectares of land have been rendered unusable due to bandit activities.
Boza criticized the lack of security presence in many affected areas, including Kwanar Maharba, Turtsawa, Unguwar Lalle, Tagirke, and Kwanar Tambazawa. He noted that Kwanar Maharba is particularly dangerous, with banditry occurring almost daily. Residents are reportedly avoiding travel through Sokoto for safety reasons, opting instead to pass through Niger Republic.
Boza also revealed that the locations of several bandit leaders are known, including Bello Turji, who resides in Fakai, and others in nearby villages. He mentioned efforts to deploy an additional 1,200 soldiers to Sokoto State, with increased security expected in Sabon Birni within a week.
He appealed to the federal government to address the plight of Sabon Birni residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Sokoto State, SP Ahmad Rufa’i, stated that the police had not yet received a report on these abductions but promised to investigate with the Sabon Birni Divisional Office.
(DT)