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The Youths of Gateway community across the Sabin Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State have taken the streets to protest the gruesome killing of their traditional ruler, Isa Muhammad Bawa, by suspected bandits.
Bawa was said to be killed before the ransom could reach the bandits.
The lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North Local Government Area in the state House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, who confirmed the news of the death said the team dispatched to deliver the ransom of N60m and five motorcycles demanded by the bandits was told he was dead upon arrival.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that he is dead; they have killed him.
“Even those who went there to deliver the ransom couldn’t meet him alive; they only came back with his son, who was abducted together with him and we are on our way to the hospital now for treatment.”
Shortly after the funeral prayer, some youths within the community immediately embarked on a protest, singing anti-government songs.
They alleged that the state government did not do enough to ensure the monarch's return to his family safely.
They also fingered some political leaders, especially those from the local government area, alleging that they purposely allowed the district head to suffer at the hands of the kidnappers before he was killed.
The police spokesperson, ASP Ahmed Rufai, however said the command was on top of the situation.
He said, “We have prepared ahead for this, as it was revealed through intelligence. Since morning, when the funeral prayer was about to be conducted, the command dispatched a tactical team from about three to four local government areas close to Sabon Birni to join the team in the local government.
“We are already taking control of the protests to ensure they don’t lead to a crisis.”
