Ex-Kebbi APC Chairman Besse reportedly dies in bandit custody

A former chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, has reportedly died while being held captive by bandits.

Besse was abducted earlier this month and was later seen in a viral video alongside an associate, where both men appeared to be subjected to humiliation by their captors in the Birnin Gwari Forest.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by security and conflict reporter Bakatsine via a post on X.

According to the report, Besse’s death means that both individuals featured in the widely circulated captivity video have now lost their lives before regaining freedom.

Bakatsine described the incident as a tragic outcome of a kidnapping ordeal that drew public attention after the release of the footage from the forest.

The death has renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of north-western Nigeria, where kidnappings, bandit attacks and prolonged captivity of victims continue to pose major challenges.

As of the time of reporting, there was no official statement from security authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding Besse’s death in captivity.