From Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
In a brazen affront to the existence of Sokoto Community Guard and the conventional security agencies in the state, bandits have whisked away Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district , Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, his son and 6 others.
The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N6 billion to release their victims..
Bawa and his son were ambushed around Kwanar Maharba while on their way from Sokoto town back to Sabon Birnin.
Lamenting the development, Alhaji Isa Gobira, a son of the kidnapped traditional leader said the security situation especially in the Eastern Senatorial axis of the state is very disturbing.
Giving insights into how the incident unfolded, Alhaji Isa Gobir said on sighting the traditional leader’s vehicle, the bandits opened fire and shot the tires of the vehicle, thus making the driver to lose control of the car and stop.
Resultantly, the bandits abducted the district head and his driver who happened to be his biological son.
Alhaji Isa appealed to the government to do everything possible to ensure the release of the victims and all others in the bandit’s den.
Confirming the incident, Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i said they were aware of the ugly situation, adding that investigation and efforts were on top gear to rescue all those kidnapped and apprehend the perpetrators as well.
Decrying how the region has been under siege by bandits, a resident of Sabon Birni local government area who gave his name as Umar Mohammed Maikulki said said the federal government that is in charge of the relevant security agencies seems to be woefully failing in its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property of ordinary Nigerians.
He said: “When the APC came up in 2014, their greatest weapon then was that every part of Nigeria will be safe and secure under their watch. Though, the insecurity then was majorly in the one or two states of the north east.
“We, the electorate blindly believed and voted them into power on that deceptive promise. But, surprisingly our hope was not only dashed but dismissed as insecurity grew worse under the watch of the APC-led government since Buhari came till now that President Tinubu, in continuation of Buhari’s policies, is on the stage.
“Our only message to the government is that, they should put on their thinking cap and find a lasting solution to this consistent insecurity before it degenerates to the point where Nigerians will be forced to defend themselves at all cost.
“By the time it gets to that level, my fear is that anarchy might set in because no sane person will continue to watch few heartless individuals unleash mayhem on his people without any provocation and not respond in the appropriate language they will understand.”
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