As the people of Gobir in Sokoto state were grieving the recent assassination of their Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, by bandits, the area has been hit again. This time, the attackers have abducted over 150 individuals.
Prof. Bello Bada, a university scholar, shared this alarming development in an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service, broadcast in Kaduna on Sunday. He attributed the surge in banditry to significant lapses in security and governance.
Prof. Bada highlighted that the bandits’ boldness, including their previous threats against former President Buhari, reflects systemic weaknesses. He noted that while prominent monarchs have previously faced attacks, the murder of Emir Bawa represents a grave escalation.
“This is not the first time a prominent monarch has been targeted, but it is the first instance of a murder of such a high-profile figure,” Bada said. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to address the ongoing threat posed by these criminals.
The professor also recounted similar attacks on other leaders, including a failed attempt on the Emir of Potiskum and the murder of an entourage member of the Emir of Kauran Namoda. He criticized the lack of sustained action against the bandits, suggesting that their origins are known but inadequately addressed.
Security analyst Dr. Yahuza Getso called for accountability, criticizing security forces for their failure to protect the Emir of Gobir, who was held captive for over three weeks before his murder. He warned of rising tensions in Gobir, fueled by the bandits’ activities and the ensuing divisions among the local Hausa, Fulani, and Gobirawa communities.
The brutal incidents have intensified calls for a more effective response to curb the increasing banditry and restore peace to the region
