2 Days After Abduction, Gunmen Kill Bauchi Monarch

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have killed the village head of Riruwai, a community in Lame district, Toro local government area of Bauchi State, Garba Badamasi.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the gunmen had earlier abducted the monarch but did not reach out to the family and relatives to negotiate a ransom for his release.

“After about a day of his disappearance, the gunmen called and notified the family that they have killed him and that his body is ready for evacuation,” a resident of the area who does not want to appear in print said.

He said throughout his life, Badamasi was known to be a peaceful person who does not join issues with anybody for whatever reason.

He added, “The village head has been laid to rest after a funeral prayer was conducted for him at the palace of the District Head of Lame. “

Our correspondent reports that Toro communities have come under siege by suspected armed men abducting innocent residents for ransom with many attributing the spate of kidnapping to the flourishing illegal mining activities in the area and the onslaught against terrorists in neighbouring Kaduna and Plateau states.

However, due to strategic security measures, the practice subsided but it appeared to be on the rise again. For instance, before the killing of the village head, unknown gunmen abducted a woman from the area.

As at press time, LEADERSHIP could not get a reaction from the Bauchi Police Command on the issue. When contacted, spokesperson of the command, Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, said he is waiting to receive an update from the divisional police officer (DPO) in Toro Division.