Armed bandits who abducted the Sokoto monarch alongside his son have released the son after executing his father.
The bandits who had asked for a ransom of N1 billion, renegotiated to N500 million for the monarch and his son, collected the N60 million and 5 motorcycles that the family could muster, k!lled the monarch and freed the son, Kabiru.
It would be recalled that the late District Head of Gobir in Gatawa, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, was abducted with his son and brother 25 days ago.
The bandits later filmed the monarch appealing to the government and the general public to help his family raise the sum of N500 million negotiated ransom for him.
Bawa who was seen in a bloodstained dress, said in the video that the deadline for the payment of the ransom had passed and expressed hope that he would be set free if the money was paid to the bandits promptly.
The monarch was reportedly executed on Tuesday a few days after he appeared in the disturbing video to plead for the state government’s help.
His elder brother, Surajo Isa, confirmed the release of the victim to Daily Trust on Wednesday night, August 21.
He said N60 million and five motorcycles were given to secure their release.
They reportedly came back from the bandits’ den around 8:30pm and confirmed that Bawa had been buried by the bandits.
Confirming the development, Hon. Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, said Isa is currently receiving treatment at Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
“Unfortunately, they have buried the remains of the late emir in the bush. We learnt that the Emir was buried in the morning,” he said.
“The late Emir’s son, Alhaji Kabir Isa is currently receiving treatment at Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto. It’s unfortunate that the Emir would not be seen again.”
Meanwhile, residents of Sabon Birni on Thursday performed a funeral prayer for the murdered Emir.
The prayer known as Salat al-Gha’ib, is usually performed in absentia for those who died where there are no Muslims to pray for them.
