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 while in captivity after being abducted by armed bandits.
Besse was kidnapped alongside a cleric of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Ikamatis-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Alhaji Muhammad Maibarga. Following their abduction, a video circulated online showing the two men being mistreated by their captors in the Birnin Gwari forest, a known hideout for criminal groups operating across parts of northern Nigeria.
The Kebbi State Police Command had earlier confirmed the death of Maibarga in captivity on June 10.
The death of Besse was disclosed by security analyst and conflict reporter Bakatsine in a post shared on X on Tuesday.
According to him, the former APC chairman also died before regaining his freedom, bringing a tragic end to the ordeal of both abductees.
“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,” Bakatsine stated.
He noted that the deaths of the two men underscore the persistent security challenges facing communities across northern Nigeria.
Bakatsine described the development as a devastating loss, lamenting that both victims died without reuniting with their families following their abduction.