The District Head of Gatawa, Isa Muhammad Bawa, has made a desperate appeal to the state government for assistance as the deadline for paying his ransom has elapsed. In a distressing video circulating online, the 74-year-old monarch, held captive for 22 days, is seen in a bloodstained white cloth with his hands tied behind his back.
Member of the State House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, confirmed the authenticity of the video, identifying the person in it as the District Head. In the video, Bawa urges his relatives, friends, and leaders to come to his aid, stating, "Today (Wednesday) is the final day, therefore if they want to assist me, they should do so now."
Bawa, who has served in the traditional institution for about 45 years, expresses his disappointment with the government's lack of assistance. "I swear to the Almighty Allah that even they (the bandits) are tired because they too did their best, but there is nothing from the government," he said.
The monarch, his son, and younger brother were abducted on the Goronyo-Sabon Birni road while returning from Sokoto. The bandits initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion, later reducing it to N500 million.