Breaking News: Boko Haram Kidnaps 2 Emirs In Borno

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, May 30th, 2014

Members of the Boko Haram extremists group have kidnapped 2 prominent emirs in Borno state, North-east Nigeria.

The kidnapped Emirs are Alhaji Idrisa Timta, Emir of Gwoza and Alhaji Ismaila Mamza, the Emir of Uba.

African Examiner gathered that the abducted emirs were whisked away by the extremists around 10a.m Friday, near Shaffa while they were travelling to Gombe to attend the funeral of the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar.

Borno state has remained the flashpoint of the deadly Boko Haram members who have killed thousands of Nigerians through bombings and gun violence.

Update: Emir of Gwazo Killed

Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has confirmed the killing of one of the kidnapped Emirs, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, who was emir of Gwazo.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the Borno State Government (SSG) Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda said the Emir was killed around 9am following a bloody attack by some gun men believed to be members of the Boko Haram.

The statement reads: “The late Emir of Gwoza had visited his counterpart, the Emir of Uba yesterday and passed the night in Uba ahead of their planned trip today. 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 gun men 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 al jannah 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”.