Gunmen murder Nigerian monarch over delayed ransom

JOHANNESBURG

Gunmen in Nigeria killed a traditional leader whom they kidnapped several weeks ago for a ransom, officials confirmed.

Alhaji Isa Bawa, the emir of Gobir in Sokoto state, was killed Wednesday by his abductors following delays to pay a ransom, despite ongoing negotiations.

Bawa, 73, and his son were abducted in July while traveling from Sokoto to Sabon Birni near the Niger border. The abductors are said to have had demanded a large amount for their release.

The monarch appeared in a video days ago, appealing for his release after his captors threatened to kill him should a ransom not be paid by Tuesday.

Kidnappings for ransom have become frequent in Africa’s most populous nation where citizens face a threat from criminal gangs, bandits and Boko Haram terrorists.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing, assuring Nigerians that his administration is "aggressively removing threats to ensure the security of the nation and that these desperate acts of terror will be effectively countered."

In a statement, the president said the "savage attack" will not go without a "decisive response."