Again, 150 feared kidnapped in Sokoto by terrorists

Terrorists have kidnapped about 150 victims in Sokoto, even as the people of Gobir are still mourning the death of their Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, murdered by bandits.

University don, Prof. Bello Bada, disclosed this in an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna on Sunday, alleging that the scary activities of bandits in the area are due to certain lapses from many quarters.

According to Bada, it was such lapses that allowed the bandits the effrontery to even threaten to kidnap former President Muhammadu Buhari when he was in power.

He said, “This is not the first time a prominent monarch was attacked, but this is the first time a prominent monarch was murdered.”

Professor Bada, who said the murder of the Emir of Gobir was a humiliation to all Nigerians, added that now is the time for Nigerians to rethink the nefarious acts of these bandits, who have continued to kill people intermittently.

He said, “The bandits had made a similar attempt on the life of the Emir of Potiskum while he was on his way to Zaria, but he narrowly escaped.

“The Emir of Kauran Namoda escaped death by whiskers, but members of his entourage were killed by the bandits.

“In Zuru community, a monarch was slaughtered by these bandits, but after a few days, these heinous acts are completely forgotten, as if nothing ever happened, until the bandits strike again.”

The university don said such acts should not be left unchecked and allowed to become a recurring decimal, alleging that “where these bandits are coming from is well known, but the appropriate action against them is not well taken.”

Meanwhile, security analyst Dr Yahuza Getso has said that the security operatives who were complacent and allowed the late Emir of Gobir to be murdered by bandits after spending over three weeks in captivity should be punished.