Gunmen in northwestern Nigeria have killed the emir of Gobir, Isa Bawa, whom they kidnapped three weeks ago.
The traditional ruler was murdered over a delay in ransom payment after pleading for his release in a video.
Isa Bawa, the emir of Gobir in Sokoto state, was abducted with his son on their way to Sabon Birni from Sokoto.
The kidnapping occurred after they attended a meeting in the regional capital.
Bandits in northwestern and central Nigeria have long terrorized villages, raiding and abducting residents while burning homes.
The situation highlights the severe security challenges in the region.
The emir was shot by his captors on Tuesday while ransom negotiations were ongoing.
The bandits had set a deadline for the ransom and threatened the 73-year-old ruler if it wasn’t paid.
The traditional ruler’s death emphasizes the security threat posed by criminal gangs.
The focus now shifts to securing the release of his son, who remains in captivity, while police in Sokoto have not commented on the incident.
