In a fresh wave of violence in Nigeria’s Northwestern region, bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, Mohammed Isa-Daya, along with his two sons and six others in Kebbi State.
The attack took place on Saturday night in Kanya district, located in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.
The assailants stormed the community, whisking away nine people in total, including the district head. In the process, one person was killed, and three others sustained gunshot injuries.
The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital Riba.
The incident has raised concerns, especially following recent comments by President Bola Tinubu, who had claimed that Nigeria’s security had significantly improved under his leadership.
Speaking through the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, at a lecture organized by the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja,
Tinubu emphasized that the security situation in 2022 and early 2023 was far worse. He assured Nigerians that it was now safer to travel across the country without fear of attacks.
However, this latest attack, along with similar incidents across the Northwestern states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Katsina within 48 hours of the president’s remarks, challenges those claims.
The spate of violence underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region.
A journalist covering conflict and crisis in the Northwest, known as Bakatsine, took to social media to confirm the attack.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, he shared details of the incident, stating, “Yesterday night, bandits attacked Kanya in Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State, tragically killing one person and abducting nine people including the community’s traditional leader and his two sons.
May the Almighty accept the martyrdom of the deceased, ensure the safe rescue of those abducted, and bring an end to this crisis in Nigeria.”
The spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, also confirmed the attack, stating, “Yes, nine persons were abducted including the traditional ruler.
One person was shot dead and three who sustained bullet wounds are responding to treatment.”
The abduction of the traditional ruler and his family, coupled with the loss of life, adds to the growing list of violent incidents plaguing the region, where banditry and kidnapping have become rampant.
Residents of the affected areas continue to live in fear, as security forces grapple with containing the widespread violence.
Efforts to rescue the abducted individuals are reportedly underway, though no further details have been provided by the authorities.
The Kebbi State government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
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