Bako Bala, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Suru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, has allegedly been shot dead by gunmen that is yet to be identified at the time of filing this report.
According to a Facebook post by Zaidu Bala, the special adviser on television and radio to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Bala was killed at his home after a previous abduction attempt on his person failed.
Bala’s post read,
“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Alhaji Bako Bala has died — APC chairman of Suru local government.”
“He died after kidnappers abducted him and his family last night. They shot him, and he passed away at the Medical Centre Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. May Allah have mercy on him.”
Nafiu Abubakar, the police spokesperson in Kebbi State had said that he would verify the incident and provide further information when available.
This unfortunate event is coming amid a wave in banditry in the north-west region, even as the security forces dispatched in the area have intensified efforts in their decade-long battle to fight insecurity.
In recent weeks, the Nigerian military personnel have foiled several attacks across the region.
On September 11, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) prevented a terrorist assault on the Department of State Services (DSS) facilities in Niger State. Days later, Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) forces killed notorious bandit leaders in Zamfara.