Borno State Government Confirms the Death of Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta

The Borno State Government regrets to announce the unfortunate murder of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta.

The Emir was killed around 9am today following a bloody attack by some gun
men 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 today.

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.

UPDATES: Body of Emir of Gwoza recovered – DHQ

The Nigeria's Military Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday said the body of Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idris Timta, who died when Boko Haram gunmen attacked a convoy of three emirs had been recovered. The gunmen attacked the convoy of emirs of Gwoza, Uba and Askira who were travelling to Gombe for the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information. The statement said that troops deployed in Garkida responded to the attack and the emirs of Uba and Askira were secured.

It said that troops were currently on patrol along the entire route with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and keeping the area safe. According to the statement, the troops of the Special Task Force (STF) operating in the North-Central part of the country have led to the arrest of 23 members of armed gangs terrorising the area.