- Isa Muhammad Bawa, the District Head of Gatawa, has been held captive for 22 days, pleading for government assistance in a video
- The abductors initially demanded N1 billion ransom, later reducing it to N500 million, as the monarch’s fate remains uncertain
A disturbing video has surfaced online showing the District Head of Gatawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Isa Muhammad Bawa, pleading for help from the state government as the deadline given by his abductors for ransom payment has passed.
The monarch, who has been held captive for 22 days, is seen in the video wearing a blood-stained white cloth with his hands tied behind his back. The video, which has circulated widely online, could not be independently verified by Daily Trust. However, Aminu Boza, the member representing Sabon Birni in the State House of Assembly, confirmed that the person in the video is indeed the District Head.
In the video, the 74-year-old monarch appeals to his relatives, friends, and government officials for urgent assistance, stating, “Today (Wednesday) is the final day, so if they want to assist me, they should do so now.” He also expressed his frustration, saying, “I swear to the Almighty Allah that even they (the bandits) are tired because they too did their best, but there is nothing from the government.”
The monarch lamented the lack of government support despite his 45 years of service in the traditional institution. He, along with his son and younger brother, was abducted at Kwanan Maharba along the Goronyo-Sabon Birni road while returning from Sokoto.
The abductors initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion but later reduced their demand to N500 million. The situation remains tense as the monarch’s fate hangs in the balance.
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