Bandits have once again attacked the Gobir community in Sokoto State, abducting over 150 people. The community was already mourning the recent murder of their Emir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, who was killed by bandits. The latest attack has intensified the grief and fear among residents.
The shocking incident was disclosed by Professor Bello Bada, a university lecturer, during an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service, which was monitored in Kaduna on Sunday. Professor Bada expressed deep concern over the growing audacity of the bandits, attributing their boldness to lapses in various quarters. He noted that the bandits’ activities have become so brazen that they once threatened to kidnap former President Muhammadu Buhari while he was still in office.
“This is not the first time a prominent monarch was attacked, but this is the first time a prominent monarch was murdered,” Professor Bada said, highlighting the gravity of the situation. He described the killing of the Emir of Gobir as a humiliation to all Nigerians and urged the nation to take serious action against the bandits who continue to terrorize innocent people.
The professor recalled similar past incidents, including an attack on the Emir of Potiskum, who narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while traveling to Zaria. The Emir of Kauran Namoda also barely survived a bandit attack, though members of his entourage were killed. In Zuru community, another monarch was brutally killed by bandits. Despite these atrocities, Professor Bada lamented that such incidents are quickly forgotten until the bandits strike again.
He emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of the banditry and taking decisive action against the criminals.
“Where these bandits are coming from is well known, but the appropriate action against them is not well taken,” he said, calling for stronger measures to prevent these attacks from becoming a recurring nightmare.
In a related development, Dr. Yahuza Getso, a security analyst, has called for accountability among security operatives who allowed the murder of the late Emir of Gobir. The Emir spent over three weeks in captivity before being killed, a situation Dr. Getso described as unacceptable. He urged for the punishment of those responsible for the security lapse.
Dr. Getso also warned that the tension in Gobir community is palpable, with the activities of the bandits causing deep divisions among the native Gobirawa, Hausa, and Fulani people in the area. He noted that the leaders of the bandits, their places of origin, and those who provide them with logistical support are well-known.
“We all agree that the security operatives have the expertise to face this problem head-on and bring it to an end,” Dr. Getso stated.
However, he expressed concern that political leaders are not providing the necessary support to the security forces to tackle the menace effectively.