Yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasised on his commitment to combating terrorism and other violent crimes that threaten national security.
The President promised that those responsible for the death of Alhaji Isa Bawa, the district head of Gatawa District in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, would face consequences.
Many people and organisations, including the Northern Senators’ Forum, the Coalition of Northern Groups, and traditional rulers, have expressed outrage and condemned the unjustified and harsh killing of the monarch by his abductors.
After giving his captors N60 million and six motorcycles as ransom to have him released, the deceased, who had been in their custody for about a month, was slain.
Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu’s Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, issued a statement in which the attack on the royal father was described as “heinous” and stated that it warranted a swift and forceful response.
The president prayed for the deceased man’s soul to rest in peace and for his family to find consolation during this trying time. He expressed his sympathies to the bereaved family, the Gobir Emirate, and the government of Sokoto State.
The statement: “President Bola Tinubu strongly condemns the tragic circumstances leading to the passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Isa Bawa, the District Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
“President Tinubu described the savage attack on the traditional ruler as deeply disturbing and a heinous act that will not go without a decisive response.
“The President extends his profound condolences to the bereaved family, the Gobir Emirate, and the government of Sokoto State.
“The President prays for the repose of the soul of the traditional ruler and comfort to his family at this difficult time.
“President Tinubu assures Nigerians that his administration is aggressively removing threats to ensure the security of the nation and that these desperate acts of terror will be effectively countered.”
The late Bawa was abducted along with his son before he was killed. They spent twenty-five days in captivity.
In a recent social media video clip that went viral, the 74-year-old king was heard pleading with the Sultanate and the state administration to help out with his release.
According to Sokoto State House of Assembly member Aminu Almustapha Boza (Sabon Birni Constituency), the monarch was subjected to brutal beatings and torture by armed individuals who have been suspected to be bandits.
He clarified that his detainees had first sought a N900 million ransom before opting to accept N500 million.
He said: “We suspect a foul play since when the abductors of the district head reduced the ransom to N60 million and six motorcycles, which were immediately made available to them, only to hear that they killed him after collecting the ransom.”
Boza did, however, confirm the son of the deceased’s release.
It is said that the son is receiving treatment at Sabon Birni General Hospital.
It was confirmed that the late monarch was abducted after addressing a gathering of traditional rulers in Sokoto, the state capital, on July 29,
The member added that the late monarch’s remains had been interred in accordance with Islamic precepts.
While condemning the act, Northern Senators forum called on the government to make possible the arrest of Bawa’s killers.
In a statement released in Abuja by its chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the group expressed sympathy to the deceased’s family and urged law enforcement to apprehend those responsible.
“His abduction, torture, and eventual killing by bandits are a heinous and unacceptable act that has left us all in shock. Traditional rulers like Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa represented the first point of leadership in various communities across Nigeria.
“They embody the rich cultural heritage and values of our people. It is therefore sacrosanct that they be protected by law enforcement agencies.The killing of a traditional ruler is not only a crime against the individual, but also an attack on the very fabric of our society.
“I urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime and bring them to book. We cannot allow such acts of terrorism to go unpunished.
“It is imperative that measures are put in place to prevent such incidents from happening again, as they are sacrilegious and undermine the traditional institutions that are essential to our national identity.
“To the people of Sokoto State, I offer my condolences for the loss of this respected leader. His demise is a tragedy that affects us all, and we must come together to ensure that justice is served.
“I want to assure you that the Armed Forces and other security agencies have been making significant progress in dismantling terrorist enclaves in the Northern States. This progress will only intensify our efforts to protect Nigerians and ensure that such brutal acts are not repeated.”
Bawa’s death was shocking and tragic, according to Senator Aliyu Wamakko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State.
He stated in a statement released by his media assistant, Bashar Abubakar, that the deceased was a leader with a decent heart and a gentleman who loved peace.
Wamakko said: “We will continue to advise government at all levels on the need to intensify efforts towards bringing an end to the banditry and criminal activities bedeviling the Northern region and country.”
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) condemned killing, calling it a serious attack on society’s collective conscience.
In a statement, the organization’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, stated that the murder was completely intolerable and that it must not be committed again.
The statement reads: “The CNG, similarly, strongly condemns Sokoto State Government for its despicable, nonchalant and lackadaisical attitude toward the handling of the plight of the late emir, which led to the unfortunate murder in the hand of the bandits.
“This depicts manifest incompetence and utter demonization of our cultural and religious heritage by the overnment that is supposed to promote preservation of our tradition and pedigree.
“The CNG is deeply concerned that the government has failed to prioritize the security and well-being of its people.
“The CNG notes that although there were incidents of abductions of traditional rulers, particularly in Zamfara, this abominable murder remains the most devastating that has sunk the collapse of our security into the ditch of despair.
“For those still languishing in the bandits’ den, it is absolutely repugnant with human civility for anyone to live under such cruel circumstances.
“We pray that May Almighty God would save them from captivity across varied vast expanse of criminal hideouts in the North.
“The CNG calls on governments at all levels to recommit themselves to genuinely addressing the security challenges that have plagued our region and rendered us hopeless.
“The protection of lives and property must be the top priority, and every effort must be made to restore peace and stability to our communities”.
