The son of a Sokoto monarch who was murdered in captivity has been released by his kidnappers after the payment of a ransom.
Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the District Head of Gobir, was abducted alongside his son and brother 25 days ago in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The monarch was reportedly executed on Tuesday, just days after appearing in a disturbing video pleading for the state government’s help.
His elder brother, Surajo Isa, confirmed the release of the victim on Wednesday night, August 21. He said the bandits collected N60 million and five motorcycles in exchange for the victim’s freedom.
“They came back from the bandits’ den around 8:30pm,” Surajo Isa told Daily Trust. He also confirmed that the bandits had buried their father in the bush.
Hon. Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, confirmed the development and said that the late Emir’s son, Alhaji Kabir Isa, is currently receiving treatment at Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.
“Unfortunately, they have buried the remains of the late emir in the bush,” Boza said. “It’s unfortunate that the Emir would not be seen again.”
Meanwhile, residents of Sabon Birni performed a funeral prayer for the murdered Emir on Thursday. The Salat al-Gha’ib prayer is usually performed in absentia for those who died where there are no Muslims to pray for them.
