Former Kebbi APC chairman dies in bandits’ captivity

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 the custody of armed bandits following his abduction.

Besse was kidnapped alongside a cleric, Alhaji Muhammad Maibarga of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Ikamatis-Sunnah (JIBWIS), during an attack by gunmen in Kebbi State.

The two men later appeared in a video circulated online showing them in captivity in the Birnin Gwari forest, a notorious hideout for armed groups operating across parts of northern Nigeria.

The Kebbi State Police Command had earlier confirmed the death of Alhaji Maibarga in captivity on June 10.

On Tuesday, security and conflict reporter Bakatsine reported that Besse had also died while being held by the kidnappers.

The latest development means that both men seen in the widely circulated captivity video have lost their lives before regaining their freedom and reuniting with their families.

The incident has renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity affecting communities across northern Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom and attacks by armed groups continue despite ongoing security operations.

Residents and political associates have expressed grief over the death of the former APC chairman, while calling for intensified efforts to combat banditry and secure the release of other victims still being held by criminal groups.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not issued an official statement specifically confirming Besse’s death.