Isa Muhammad Bawa, the 74-year-old District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State, has been killed by terrorists after being held captive for three weeks.
Bawa, who was abducted along with his son and brother while returning from an event in July, was reportedly killed on Wednesday.
A distressing video showed him pleading for his life and urging the government to intervene, but his plea went unanswered.
Speaking in the video, he said, “My brothers and sisters, friends, and the state government, I am informing you that I have reached the deadline today. I am pleading with you all to help me.
“These people (the bandits) are tired of us and have done their best to ensure the government intervened in my situation, but nothing has been done. I am 74 years old, and I have served the government for over 40 years.”
According to his cousin, Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir, “a negotiator sent to the bandits’ den discovered Bawa’s body and alerted the traditional ruler, who then advised the family not to proceed with the ransom payment.”
Before the discovery, the family had been trying to contact him, but the terrorists claimed Bawa was ill and unable to speak. His son, Kabiru, who is still in captivity, was forced to speak with the family.
The terrorists have withheld Bawa’s corpse, demanding for a ransom before it can be released.
“They said before they can release his corpse, we must give them N60 million and five motorcycles,” a family source said.
Local representative Hon. Aminu Boza stated that a ransom agreement had been reached, but Bawa’s death occurred before the payment could be made.
The Sokoto Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, claimed he was unaware of the development.
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