The Sokoto State Police Command has refuted claims of an abduction involving over 150 individuals in the Sabon Birni area. This denial comes shortly after the tragic killing of Sarkin Gobir Gatawa, Isa Muhammad Bawa.
In a recent interview with RFI Hausa, Professor Bello Bada of Usman Dan Fodio University highlighted that the alleged kidnappings reportedly occurred between the murder of the late Emir and the previous Friday. Bada linked the surge in banditry to multiple underlying issues and noted that while prominent leaders have faced attacks before, the murder of an Emir is unprecedented in its brutality.
Responding to these claims, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the Sokoto State Police Spokesman, stated that the police have no information on the reported abductions. Rufai emphasized that the police can only verify cases that have been formally reported, and, as of now, there have been no such reports regarding this incident. He acknowledged, however, that the Sabon Birni area and other parts of Sokoto East Senatorial District are experiencing significant security challenges, which may hinder residents from reporting incidents to the authorities.
