As the people of Gobir in Sokoto State were mourning their Emir, Alhaji Isa Bawa, who was murdered by bandits, hoodlums invaded the community and kidnapped over 150 people.
A University Don, Professor Bello Bada disclosed this in an interview with Radio France International(rfi)Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna yesterday.
According to him, ”this is not the first time a prominent monarch was attacked, but this is the first time a prominent monarch was murdered.”
Professor Bada who said the murder of the Emir of Gobir was a humiliation to all Nigerians, adding that now is the time to have a rethink on the nefarious acts of these bandits who have continued to kill people intermittently.
”Bandits had made a similar attempt on the life of the Emir of Potiskum while he was on the way to Zaria but he narrowly escaped. The Emir of Kauran Namoda escaped death by whiskers, but members of his entourage were killed.
“In Zuru community, a monarch was slaughtered by these bandits, but after few days, these heinous acts would be completely forgotten until they strike again.”
He said such acts should not be left unchecked and allowed to become a recurring decimal, alleging that ”where these bandits are coming from is well known but appropriate action against them is not well taken.“
Meanwhile, a security analyst, Dr Yahuza Getso said security operatives who were complacent and allowed the Emir of Gobir to be murdered by bandits after spending over three weeks in captivity, should be punished.
He warned that there is palpable tension in Gobir community after the gruesome murder of the emir, as banditry has caused deep division among the native Gobirawa, Hausa and Fulani people in the area.
”Leaders of these bandits terrorising the North-West region are well known, their places of origin are known, their parents and these who supply them with means of logistics are all known.
”We have agreed that security operatives have the expertise to face this problem head on and bring it to an end. It appears political leaders are not giving them the support they need to overcome this menace,” he alleged.
