A former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, has reportedly died in captivity after being abducted by bandits.
Besse was kidnapped alongside a cleric of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Ikamatis-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Alhaji Muhammad Maibarga.
A disturbing video that later surfaced online showed the two men being humiliated by their captors in the Birnin Gwari forest, a notorious hideout for armed bandits operating across parts of northern Nigeria.
The Kebbi State Police Command had, on June 10, confirmed the death of Alhaji Maibarga while in captivity.
Security and conflict reporter Bakatsine confirmed the latest development in a post shared on his X account on Tuesday, June 23.
“Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse LGA in Kebbi State, has now also been confirmed dead in captivity,” he wrote.
“This means both men seen in the videos released from the Birnin Gwari forest have lost their lives without ever reuniting with their families after their abduction.”
Bakatsine described the incident as a painful reminder of the worsening security challenges confronting communities across northern Nigeria.
“What began as disturbing footage of humiliation has ended in the worst possible tragedy. Two lives gone, two families shattered, and more painful questions about the security crisis facing communities across northern Nigeria,” he added.
