The Emir of Gwoza in Borno State, Alhaji Idris Timta is dead. He was killed by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members, who attacked his convoy Friday morning.
Two other Emirs – Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama and Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza – were however lucky as they survived what looked like a pre-meditated ambush on their convoy by the insurgents.
It was learnt that a policeman in the convoy, who was shot at by the gunmen, also survived the ambush.
The Secretary to Borno State Government, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, who gave a graphic account of how the Emir was killed, said the monarchs were on their way to Gombe State to attend the funeral of late Emir of Gombe.
The statement by Ambassador Jidda said: “The Emir was killed around 9am today following a bloody attack by some gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram along Tashan Alade on the way to Biu town, headquarters of Biu Local Government Area in Southern Borno State.
“The late Emir was in company of the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama and Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza, all of whom drove in the same vehicle as they headed to Biu to pick the Emir of Biu so they could all drive in convoy to Gombe State to attend the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe who is scheduled for burial in Gombe on Friday.
“The late Emir of Gwoza had visited his counterpart, the Emir of Uba on Thursday and passed the night in Uba ahead of their planned trip on Friday.
“The two Emirs were this morning, joined by the Emir of Askira. The three drove in the same vehicle with the intention of going to Biu to be joined by their counterpart in Biu.
“Unfortunately as they were driving in convoy to Biu, they were ambushed by gunmen around Tashan Alade, soon after passing Garkida.
“The gunmen came after the convoy, specifically targeted the vehicle conveying the three Emirs and opened fire.
“The Emir of Gwoza was unfortunately killed by the attackers while the Emirs of Askira and Uba escaped unhurt. A policeman in the convoy was shot by the attackers but he survived the attack.
“The late Emir was in the first class status following his recent elevation by Governor Kashim Shettima.
“The late Emir was indeed a great man who worked very hard to promote peace and progress in Gwoza. He was a pillar and one of the rallying points in Borno State. He visibly worked very hard in the search for peace in Gwoza since the insurgency began.
“Borno State Government is terribly shocked by this incident. The Government prays that Allah admits the late Emir into aljanna Firadaus and give family, members of the Gwoza Emirate Council, the people of Gwoza, the State Council of Chiefs and the entire people of Borno State the fortitude to bear this very traumatic loss especially at a time the state is still dealing with equally disturbing issues related with security challenges in the State.
“May Allah grant us accelerated and lasting peace in Borno State and rest of Nigeria”.
It would be recalled that barely six weeks ago, the late Alhaji Timta had come out to condemn in very strong terms, the activities of the sect. His killing might be a response by the sect to his hard stance against them.
This would be the first time an Emir – of first class status – would be killed by the sect. Previous attempts by Boko Haram to kill the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi were unsuccessful.
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