A member of the Sokoto state House of Assembly, Hon Aminu Almustapha Boza, representing Sabon Birni constituency, has confirmed the death of the district head of Gatawa in Sabin Birni local government, Sokoto state, Alhaji Isa Mohammed Bawa, who was recently abducted by suspected gunmen alongside his son.
He said the district head died after he had undergone severe torture and beating by gunmen suspected to be bandits, 25 days after he was abducted.
The abductors of the traditional ruler earlier demanded 900 million, later reduced to 500 million as ransom, the amount that was not raised by his family or the state government before his untimely death in the hands of his captors on Wednesday.
Boza, speaking to our correspondent, expressed suspicion of foul play, noting that the abductors of the district head had reduced the ransom to 60 million naira and six motorcycles. Despite the immediate payment of the ransom, he was shocked to learn that the district head was killed afterward.
However, the suspected gunmen released his son, who was abducted alongside his father on the fateful date.
The son was released after the collection of 60 million naira and six motorcycles by the suspected gunmen on Wednesday, and he is currently being hospitalized.
Recall that last Tuesday, abductors of the traditional ruler released a video clip in which the late traditional ruler was seen pleading with the Sokoto state government and Sultanate council to help secure his release from captivity.
The late Sokoto monarch was attacked and kidnapped along the Sokoto-Sabon Birni road on July 29 after attending a meeting of traditional rulers in Sokoto, the state capital.
The lawmaker also stated that the late traditional ruler has since been buried according to Islamic injunctions.
(Vanguard)