Nigeria: Boko Haram Raises Stake, Kill Traditional Ruler

by Benson Agoha

Amidst public and international expectations of the rescue of more 200 school girls kidnapped nearly six weeks ago by Boko Haram, the Terror group has raised their stake, killing a first class religious leader in Nigeria.

Two of the Emirs who came under attack of Boko Haram as they made their way to a funeral were only elevated to First Class traditional ruler status in January.

* Emir of Gwoza, elevated in January, was killed in an ambush by Boko Haram.

According to reports some prominent traditional leaders of Bornu state - the Emir of Gwoza, Alh. Idrissa Timta (above), the Emir of Uba, Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza (below), and Emir of Askira, Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama, were ambushed by Boko Haram.

* Emir of Uba, also elevated in January, survived the ambush.

Reports by Nigeria's Premium Times said the Emir of Gwoza died in the attack, while the other two Emirs survived.

 "The Emir of Gwoza, Idrissa Timta, was killed Friday after armed men abducted him and a colleague" PT reported, quoting Bornu State government officials.

Reports say the three chiefs, were in the same vehicle when they came under attack. They were "on their way to Biu where they planned to pick the Emir of Biu, before heading to Gombe State for the funeral of the of the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar."

The Secretary to Borno State Government, Baba Jidda told the media that the suspected Boko Haram militants opened fire as the vehicle carrying the Emirs travelled along Tashan Alade in Biu Local Government Area of Bornu State.

Then gunmen then burnt the vehicles on the Emirs convoy, according to witnesses.

Yesterday's abduction came 46 days after the Boko Haram,  stormed a secondary school in Chibok, kidnapping over 250 schoolgirls from their dormitories, and after three weeks threatened to sell them into slavery.

The girls are yet to be rescued, although international alleys are helping the Nigerian government with efforts to free them, leading to confirmation by the Nigerian military earlier in the week that the location of the girls was now known to them.

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