The traditional ruler of Mutumbiyu Chiefdom in Taraba State, Justice Sani Muhammed, has suffered an unspeakable tragedy after the bodies of his two abducted wives and five children were discovered.
On January 19, 2023, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed the monarch’s residence in Jalingo and whisked away several hostages including the monarch’s family.
The decomposed bodies of the victims were found in Daka village, a neighborhood of the Bali Local Government Area, in the early hours of Saturday, January 4, 2023.
Abdullahi Usman, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, confirmed the discovery in a statement, adding that one of the children had escaped and was receiving medical care in an undisclosed hospital.
The traditional ruler also confirmed the brutal killing of his wives and children to journalists, adding that they would be buried at Mutumbiyu.
The monarch explained that among the eight members of his family who were kidnapped, a 14-year-old boy had escaped from the kidnappers two days before the discovery of the bodies.
The state commissioner for information and reorientation, Lois Emmanuel, issued a press release in which he strongly denounced the murder and called it barbaric, ungodly, and inhuman.
The government offered its condolences to the ruler and the citizens of the Mutum-Biyu Chiefdom for the unfortunate incident and prayed to God to grant the deceased souls rest and the families the strength to endure the irreparable losses.
The discovery of the bodies has sparked outrage and shock in the community and the state. Many have expressed their sadness and sympathy for the ruler and his family.
The incident highlights the persistent threat of kidnapping and other forms of violence in Nigeria and the need for effective measures to tackle these crimes.
