By Sabiu Abdullahi
The burial of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto State, was conducted without his body after he was abducted, tortured, and killed by terrorists.
The traditional ruler’s death, which occurred on Wednesday, has been marked by a series of harrowing events and demands from the perpetrators.
A distressing video surfaced before Bawa’s death, showing him pleading for his life and calling on the government to intervene.
In the footage, the late ruler, speaking in Hausa, described his horrific captivity and the dire conditions endured by him and his son, who were seized in July while traveling from Sokoto to Sabon Birni.
The burial ceremony, as described by Facebook user Sarki Yaqi, adhered to Islamic guidelines for such tragic circumstances, which allow for burial without the physical presence of the deceased.
Yaqi’s post stated, “The burial of the Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto State has been held now without his corpse,” and further explained, “The burial of the king of Kudun Gobir has just concluded, the burial ceremony of the death of the gunmen who were killed and held his corpse and buried.”
It was reported that the terrorists behind Bawa’s death had issued a chilling demand for a ransom of N60 million and five motorcycles in exchange for the return of his body.
This demand followed an initial ransom request of N1 billion for the release of Bawa and his son, who were abducted while en route to their hometown.
The video also shows the extent of the coercion faced by Bawa and his son, with a gunman dictating their statements under duress. Tragically, their plea for rescue went unanswered in time, leading to Bawa’s brutal killing.