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From Gyang Bere, Kano
Traditional rulers in Plateau State are experiencing a hell of a time in the hands of daredevil bandits and kidnappers. Despite their highly revered position in the eyes of their subjects, they are kidnapped on a regular basis for ransom and while in captivity, they are denied the vestiges of their office.
In not a few cases, they are beaten, knocked off and killed even after their friends, relatives and loved ones must have paid ransom demanded by their abductors.
Only recently, residents of the state were shocked by one of these attacks, which led to the murder of the village head of Nyalun community in Bashar Chiefdom, Wase Local Government, Sanusi Muhammed.
That was on Monday, October 17, 2022.
On that night, the bandits invaded the affected community and went straight to the home of their monarch at about 8.00pm.That was shortly after the traditional ruler and his family members had their dinner and were to go to bed.
An eyewitness told Daily Sun: “They busted in guns, whisked him away amid threats and eventually killed him, along with two others. They also whisked away five members of the community, including a four-year-old boy and allegedly raped the women victims.”
Although, Nyalun community is yet to establish contact with the kidnappers or their sponsors as at press time, police insisted they were on top of the situation and were trailing the suspects with a view to rescuing them and arresting them.
However, the incident has left the people in grate fear. It has chased many of them away from their homes. On that night, many frightened villagers fled in haste and till date, some of them are resolved not to come back.
A few days earlier, on Saturday, October 15, 2022, another traditional ruler was abducted in what looked like script reeled out from Nollywood. Umar Mohammed, District Head, Langai, in Pyem Chiefdom, Mangu Local Government, was kidnapped on that date.
He was ambushed at about 7:30pm on his way back from mosque. Witnesses claimed that he was trailed from mosque by suspects who had earlier prayed with him at the mosque.
Another traditional ruler was abducted after a raid on Takai, Kunet and Kulias villages in Butura community. Bokkos Local Government. They invaded the villages on October 7, 2022, and killed two traditional rulers alongside 12 others.
Thompson Charles, a social commentator, said: “Yes, the bandits, who are largely suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, target these monarchs as furtherance of their mischief against these communities. In many cases also, they are singled out for their roles in conflicts resolutions between herders and local farmers.
“In most communities in the state, traditional rulers have slipped into hiding for fear of being kidnapped or killed by bandits, who invade their communities, not just for ransom but for other reasons.”
Observers reasoned that these attacks are becoming popular among bandits because it is intended to scare off people from their ancestral lands. They pointed out that the attacks have already pushed the natives out of their ancestral homes in Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos among others.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to protecting all citizens, particularly the traditional rulers in the face of growing assault: “Police recently gunned down a suspected kidnapper who had been terrorising a number of communities in the state.
“We are determined to make the state inhospitable and unsafe for criminal elements. Our primary responsibility was to protect and make the state a safe haven for citizens to live and carry out lawful activities.”
