Violence against traditional rulers

The recent brutal murder of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa in Sokoto State has heightened security concerns among Nigerians. This tragic event which occurred on August 21, 2024, has raised serious concerns about the security of traditional rulers and other Nigerians as well as the efficiency of the security agencies.

The fact that Sarkin Gobir Bawa and his son were held captive for almost a month before meeting a tragic end, despite numerous attempts to secure his release, sheds a stark light on the serious deficiencies of the current security framework.

Sarkin Gobir Bawa was kidnapped on July 27, 2024, along with his son, Kabiru Isa, while returning from a meeting at the Sultanate Palace in Sokoto. Despite efforts by his royal family to get help from the state government, including a disturbing video appeal from the bandits' den, their pleas were largely ignored. A ransom of 60 million naira, reportedly paid in a desperate attempt to gain his freedom, came too late as he had already been murdered and his son was released.

After his death, there were the usual condemnations from all quarters and the government vowed to find his killers. This is not good enough; it is like medicine after death. The security apparatus could have tracked down the kidnappers in the same way it recently tracked down the kidnappers of medical students in Benue State. In an act of collective courage, his community of men and women successfully took the fight to the bandits' den to recover his body and rescue other captives. In other areas, heads would roll over an incident like this.

This tragic event is part of a disturbing trend of attacks on traditional rulers across Nigeria. On January 29, 2024, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin, and the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olatunji, were assassinated in a brutal attack by armed assailants. The third monarch, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, fortunately survived the attack. In early February 2024, another tragic incident occurred when gunmen stormed the palace of Segun Aremu, the Olukoro of Koro. Aremu, a retired army general, was killed during the raid and his wife was kidnapped.

In May 2024, bandits killed Chief Auwal Wali, the traditional ruler of Gidan Usmanu village in Taraba State, at his residence. Similarly, in July, the traditional ruler of Takun town, Tanimu Kunbiya, and his son were ambushed and killed while returning from a funeral in Taraba State.

In August 2024, a traditional ruler and six village heads of Umucheke Okwe in Onuimo Local Government Area of ​​Imo State were killed during a meeting. In July last year, several traditional rulers in the state were killed in a similar manner, including those of Nguru in Aboh Mbaise LGA, Eze Mmirioma and Eze Joe-Benz Ochulor, the Olu 1 of Otulu Amumara in Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Imo State.

In early August, the traditional ruler of Umuihe Autonomous Community in Ebonyi State, His Highness (KK) Umazi Ibo Ubani, was killed by armed men.

In December 2023, the District Head of Yankuzo, Alhaji Hamza Kogo, of Tsafe Emirate of Zamfara State, was killed in a failed kidnapping attempt. The year before that saw the tragic killing of the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, who was killed by bandits on the Ifon-Benin highway in November 2020. Violence against traditional rulers is a recurring problem. 53 traditional rulers have reportedly been killed in violent incidents in the last decade, according to a 2021 report by SBM Intelligence.

The increasing violence against traditional rulers is not just a statistical anomaly, but reflects deeper problems within Nigeria's security and governance structures. The once revered status of traditional rulers has been undermined, in part because of their increasing interference in political affairs and the associated violence they have experienced.

This increasing trend of attacks must be curbed. The government and security agencies must strengthen protection measures for traditional rulers. This includes not only increasing personal security but also improving intelligence and response capabilities to effectively prevent and combat kidnappings and attacks.

Strengthening local security networks through community engagement and partnerships can also play an important role in deterring criminal activity. Community-led initiatives such as vigilante groups and neighbourhood watches have proven effective in other contexts and should be strengthened to protect traditional leaders.

A recent report showed that over 1 billion Naira was paid as ransom between July 2023 and June 2024. This money is flowing through the Nigerian banking and financial system. This money must be traced to arrest both the bandits and their sponsors.

Nigeria should consider collaborating with international security experts to gain additional resources and insights to effectively combat organized crime. Such collaboration can provide valuable support in addressing complex security challenges.

The murder of Sarkin Gobir Bawa and the increasing violence against traditional rulers reflect a broader security and governance crisis in Nigeria. Simply condemning these acts of violence is not enough; comprehensive and actionable reforms are needed to ensure the protection of these important figures in our society.

As we reflect on these tragedies, it is imperative that we mobilise our collective efforts to break this cycle of violence and restore safety and dignity to the custodians of our cultural heritage.