Shettima attends emir’s burial with 150 soldiers •Emirs absent

BORNO State governor, Kashim Shettima, left Maiduguri, the state capital, amid tight security, powered by a combined force of about 150 soldiers of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri; the police special squad and the Civilian JTF, through the 135km deserted Maiduguri-Bama Road to attend the burial of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Shehu Mustapha Idris Timta, on Sunday.

The late emir, who was killed by Boko Haram gunmen on Friday, was buried on Sunday in his domain amid tears.

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Though the first class traditional ruler was killed while on his way to attend the burial of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, none of his colleagues from within and outside the state was able to attend his interment, due to unpredictable security situation on the way and around Gwoza town.

Shettima was also accompanied by his deputy, Zanna Mustapha and Senator Muhammed Ali Ndume, who is from Gwoza, leading other state government functionaries to attend the burial.

Though Gwoza was badly affected by the ongoing Boko Haram conflict that sacked many communities in the area, the burial was well attended. 

The crowded Islamic funeral was led by the Chief Imam of Gwoza, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Bamanga.

Governor Shettima, who battled to control his tears as he delivered his tribute and condolences, described the late Shehu Timta as “a man who spent better part of his reign preaching peace and tolerance.

“This is not a day for long speeches; it is a day of mourning of our late father and ruler. May Allah give us yet another monarch that will love his people in the manner the late Shehu Idrissa Timta did. 

“In his life time, he was eulogised as one king that could keep a venomous viper in his pocket, because of his superlative love for peace and tolerance. He was known as a traditional ruler who never showed discrepancy, whether of religion or tribe.

“The late emir lived an exemplary life; he was a paragon of everything that is good.”

The late emir is survived by his centenarian mother, 28 children, 14 grandchildren and 14 siblings.

JNI condemns killing

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI ) has condemned the killing of the Emir of Gwoza, insisting it will neither be deterred nor remained mute over the repeated acts of terror being unleashed on the Muslim.

JNI, in a statement in Kaduna, signed by the Secretary General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said it painfully received the news of the gruesome murder of Alhaji Timta by criminals.

According to the Islamic organisation,the heinous attack was condemnable in its totality.

“We again expect the Federal Government of Nigeria, through its relevant security agencies, to wake up to their respective responsibilities of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, especially in the North East.

“Enough diatribes had been heard on the ugly situation. Therefore, purposeful and coordinated pro-active measures must be on the ground to check the menace of the insurgency,” the statement read.

It added that “in the light of the above, we extend our condolences to the family of the late emir, the Shehu of Borno, the Gwoza Emirate Council and the Borno State government.

“In the same vein, we send our sympathy to the Emirs of Askira and Uba over the foiled attempt on their respective lives.”

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