former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, has died while in the custody of bandits who abducted him earlier this month.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by security and conflict reporter Bakatsine in a post on his X account.

Besse was kidnapped alongside an associate in June, with a disturbing video later surfacing online showing both men being subjected to humiliation by their captors in the Birnin Gwari forest, a notorious hideout for armed bandits operating across parts of northern Nigeria.

Confirming the former APC chairman’s death, Bakatsine said the tragic development meant that both men featured in the viral videos had now lost their lives before they could regain their freedom or reunite with their families.

“DEVASTATING UPDATE: Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse LGA in Kebbi State, has now also been confirmed dead in captivity,” he wrote.

“This means both men seen in the videos released from the Birnin Gwari forest have lost their lives without ever reuniting with their families after their abduction.”

He described the incident as a painful reminder of the worsening security challenges confronting communities across northern Nigeria.

“What began as disturbing footage of humiliation has ended in the worst possible tragedy. Two lives gone, two families shattered and more painful questions about the security crisis facing communities across northern Nigeria,” he added.

Bakatsine also offered prayers for the deceased and condolences to their families, saying: “May Almighty Allah forgive them, grant them Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort their loved ones.”

The deaths have further highlighted concerns over the persistent threat posed by bandit groups operating in parts of the North-West, where kidnappings, killings and attacks on rural communities continue despite ongoing military operations aimed at restoring security.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities in Kebbi State had yet to issue an official statement on the deaths.