Abducted Monarch seen in blood stained cloths beging Gov’t to pay ransom demanded by kidnappers
Alhaji Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Kudun Gatawa of Gatawa District in Sokoto State, has issued a desperate plea for help after being held captive for 23 days. In a video released over the weekend, Bawa urgently appealed to the Sokoto State Government, the Sultanate Council, and his family to meet the ransom demands set by his kidnappers.
In the emotional footage, Bawa warned that the bandits had given a strict deadline for the ransom payment. He expressed grave concern for his life, saying that failure to pay the ransom would result in his execution.
His plea has intensified pressure on local authorities and relatives to act swiftly before the deadline imposed by his captors expires.
The monarch, seen in the video with his blood-stained clothes as well as chained hands and legs said, “I am seeking the help of the government. I am their servant, and I have served them for 74 years, including 45 years in government service.
“I have always been in the service of the government, and it is the government’s responsibility to help me.
“The Sokoto Sultanate Council should intervene as, at least 86 victims are in the bandits’ den. You should be aware of our situation, and if they do not help me, no one will.
”I appeal to the authorities, my children, and my relatives to look into my situation and come to my aid.
“Today, I have no peace, and Allah knows that. Therefore, for the sake of Allah and His Prophet, I seek protection for my life, and I beg whoever hears my plea to come to my rescue.”
A member of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Aminu Boza, has confirmed that the individual in the video is indeed the abducted Emir.
In a statement, the family of the Emir of Gobir, Sabon Birni, who is also the current Emir of Kudun Gatawa, expressed their deep shock, sadness, and confusion over the situation.
The statement says: “We are in a situation that we never thought we would find ourselves in.
“When the incident happened, we informed those who needed to know, but no one listened to us. Even those who listened did not take us seriously, and they did not take action.
“Despite this, we have continued to negotiate with the bandits to release our father, using all the resources and influence that Allah has given us.
“But they have refused to release him, saying that they will only release him if the government intervenes.”
News
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.
It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)
News
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
News
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
-
6 years ago
Our situation in Kano terrible – Gov Ganduje cries out
-
News12 months agoFG pledges commitment to enhance Police officers Welfare, implement Tinubu’s 8-point agenda for NPF
-
News11 months agoBREAKING; NSCDC gets approval to commence 2025 recruitment exercise
-
News9 months agoAlleged cocaine deal: Court issues orders in suspended DCP Abba Kyari’s case
-
News12 months agoDPO under investigation for allegedly taking teenage girl to his home while in police custody
-
News12 months agoJUST IN; Commissioner of Police bows out of Service
-
News9 months agoJUST IN; Police Inspector dies watching Arsenal match
-
News12 months agoBREAKING; NLC declare nationwide protest