Matawalle Orders CDS to Identify Killers of Sokoto District Head

Governor Bello Matawalle has directed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to locate and apprehend the individuals responsible for the murder of a Sokoto district head, emphasizing a swift response to the crime.

On Friday, Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence condemned in strong terms the killing of Isa Bawa-Head of Gatawa District within Sabon Birni Local Government Area located in Sokoto State branding it as an atrocious act that is pointless and cannot be justified.

Bawa, together with his son and six other individuals, was abducted in July while on a journey from Sokoto to Sabon Birni near the border of Niger.

Bawa’s corpse was encountered by the team dispatched to deliver the ransom requested by the bandits.

Last Saturday, a video of the 74-year-old monarch pleading for his release from his captors became viral before he passed away.

Henshaw Ogubike, the Director of Information and Public Relations for Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, released a statement in which he stated that the minister strongly criticized the district leader’s passing. The Minister directed Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff to locate those who took responsibility for murdering him.

“The Minister of State for Defence has denounced the savage assassination of Alhaji Isa Bawa, Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni Local Government Area located in Sokoto State as heinous and intolerable,” he stated.

He condemned the senseless and brutal killing of Bawa, emphasizing that such actions would not be accepted.

As a result, Matawalle has instructed the Chief of Defence Staff to promptly commence a comprehensive inquiry into the event and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

According to Matawalle, President Bola Tinubu has prioritized security as a key issue and is fully backing the military.

He reassured the public that no effort would be spared by the Armed Forces in identifying and apprehending those responsible for this abhorrent act, to ensure they face justice.

Matawalle asserted that they would persistently work to guarantee the welfare and protection of every Nigerian.

The minister conveyed his sympathies to the Sokoto State Government, Gatawa community and bereaved family of the deceased district leader.