The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) have condemned the brutal killing of Alhaji Isa Mohammed Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Sabon Birni, in Sokoto State a few days ago by bandits.
The bandits abducted the monarch and his son on August 18 and later murdered them despite ransom demands.
The murders have ignited protests in Sokoto State.
They condemned the gruesome murders in their separate statements signed by Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF Secretary-General, and Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, NEF.
The Director of Publicity and Advocacy called for a thorough investigation and a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s national security architecture to combat banditry and terrorism.
The northern leadership groups extended heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, and associates, as well as the Sokoto State Government and Sokoto Sultanate Council.
ACF’s statement emphasized the need for swift and effective action to restore peace and trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens, saying,
“The murder of the traditional ruler has raised concerns about the escalating violence and insecurity in the north, with many calling for a more effective approach to combating banditry and terrorism.”
Similarly, NEF described the assassination of the Emir of Gobir as an attack on cultural heritage, a disregard for customary authority, and a grim reminder of the rampant insecurity that has plagued much of Northern Nigeria.
“This heinous and merciless act insults not only emirs but also the region’s values and social fabric. For us in Northern Nigeria, traditional rulers symbolize stability, guidance, and communal identity.
“Their abduction and brutal killing thus send shockwaves through society, unsettling the already fragile trust between the people and the institutions meant to protect them,” he added.
He noted that the tragedy calls for a comprehensive reevaluation of the security architecture in Northern Nigeria, adding, “The perpetrators of this act must not go unpunished.”
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