Boko Haram Kills Emir Of Gwoza In Deadly Attacks On 3 Borno Monarchs…2 Policemen,Others Shot Dead

 Three first class Emirs today came under heavy bombardment from Boko Haram insurgents while on their way to the burial of the late Emir of Gombe, Shehu Usman Abubakar. While the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta was shot dead on the spot, that of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Ibn Mamza and Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Ibn Askirama II, Emir of Askira escaped into nearby bush with bullet wounds. According a reliable source in Maiduguri, the three traditional rulers drove in the official vehicle of the Emir of Gwoza along with their convoy which also include police escort. They however came under attack by armed men who fired bullets sporadically on the convoy, targeting the three traditional rulers. An eyewitness and member of Gwoza Emirate, Alhaji Wali Ibrahim told BBC Hausa Service monitored in Maiduguri that the insurgents fired at the convoy from the bush, forcing the convoy to reverse. "It was when we got to a military checkpoint we realized the emirs were not with us," he explained. He said they later discovered the emir of Gwoza was dead after a search with the military troops. He also disclosed that the driver also died and two policemen were killed on the convoy. A statement by the Borno State Government today announced what it described as unfortunate murder of the Emir Alhaji Idrissa Timta. The statement signed by Secretary to the Borno State Government (SSG), Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda said the emir was killed around 9am local time by suspected Boko Haram insurgents around Tashan Alade on the way to Biu town, in the southern part of the 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 today (Friday). "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 statement said. The government said it was terribly shocked by the incident even as it prayed for the people of the emirate to have the fortitude to bear the trauma. Emir of Gwoza, Uba and Askira were early this year elevated to first class status. The emir of Gwoza had on February 18 during the visit of Gov Kashim Shettima to his palace, appealed to the government to tackle the security challenge, warming that the insurgents would soon overrun the area if urgent action was not taken. Meanwhile, the military has said that troops are currently on aggressive patrols along the entire route with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and keeping the area safe.  The military in a statement by Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade  while confirming the attack also said  23 members of an armed gang terrorizing the northeast Plateau State have also been arrested by troops in the area after raids. "Raids carried out by troops  of the Special Task Force operating in the north-central part of the country have led to the  arrest of 23 members of armed gangs terrorizing the region.  The suspects including a hard drugs supplier were apprehended during raids on camps and criminal hideouts located in Bukuru, Jos South and Barkin Ladi general areas.  All the suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation before they will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency," Olukolade stated. An official profile of the murdered Emir of Gwoza released today by the Borno state government reveals that he was 72 years old and served 33 years on the throne.  "Alh. Shehu Mustapha Idrisa Timta was born in 1942 to the family of the Late Chief of Gwoza Alh. Idrisa Timta. The Late Emir attended the Muslim Elementary School Gwoza in 1948 and Senior Primary School Bama between 1952 and 1960. He proceeded to the then Provincial Secondary School now Government College Maiduguri between 1960 to 1964. The Late Emir of Gwoza after working briefly as a teacher in Gwoza, he proceeded to the prestigious ABU, Zaria to study Sharia Law in 1968 and later HND in the same discipline in 1972. Alh. Shehu Mustapha Idrisa Timta has worked with the then North – East judiciary in various capacities as an inspector of Area Courts and rose to the rank of Principal Inspector of Area Courts before his appointment as the 3rd chief of Gwoza in October, 1981. The late Emir was elevated to a second class Emir in 1987 and due to his hard work and loyalty to Government, His Excellency the executive Governor of Borno State Hon. Kashim Shettima elevated him to the rank of a 1st class Emir     in January, 2014. The late Emir is survived by four wives, 28 children and many brothers and sisters. Among them are Alh. Haruna Idrisa Timta, the former Head of Service, Borno state Alh. Adamu Idrisa Timta, a Permanent Secretary with the Borno state Government, Alh. Yusuf Timta, Secretary Gwoza Local Govt, and Alh. Umar Timta of the DPR, Maiduguri. Among his children are Muhammad S. Timta, District Head of Hambagda, Isa S. Timta, Secretary of the Emirate Council, Lt. Abdulrazaq S. Timta of the Nigeria Army and Dr. Abubakar S. Timta. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and an eternal rest in Aljanna Firdaus", the profile read.