Insurgents believed to be members of Boko Haram have forced out five Emirs in Borno state, from their palaces, with two other monarchs in Yobe State being displaced, following the takeover of their domains.
The affected Emirs in Borno are; Shehu of Dikwa, Muhammad Ibn Shehu Masta; Emir of Gwoza, Muhammadu Ibn Mustapha Idrissa Timta; Emir of Bama, Kyari Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi, Emir of
Askira, Abubakar Ibn Muhammad Askirama and his counterpart Ali Ibn Isma’ila Mamza of Uba, who left their palaces following security reports that their towns were next on target.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the only traditional rulers still living in their respective domains in Borno are the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi; the Emir of Shani, Nasiru Muhammadu Mailafiya and the Emir of Biu.
Map of the action in Borno so far. Image credit: Andrew Noakes/Nigeria Security Network
Askira and Uba, which are not far from Gwoza, was captured by Boko Haram on August 6 and later on sect leader Abubakar Shekau declared it as part of an “Islamic Caliphate.”
Dikwa has also been under the insurgents’ rule since they overran the town on August 28, forcing thousands of people to flee to the state capital Maiduguri.
Boko Haram insurgents have been advancing in the past weeks, capturing territory in Borno and Yobe states.
Three days earlier, Boko Haram fighters took over Gamboru, a town on the Nigerian border with Cameroon, and which is also in thr Dikwa Emirate.
“We are under siege. Our traditional rulers, the custodians of our heritage, are no longer safe, our people are dying every day and it seems the dastardly act is continuing unabated.
“A situation whereby our traditional rulers are forcefully fleeing their domains and their subjects running helter skelter does not speak well in a country that rates itself as the giant of Africa,” Barrister Yusuf Modu Kabir, a legal practitioner in Yola, said.
Boko Haram attacks have forced five of the eight traditional rulers in Borno State to flee their palaces.
No comments:
Post a Comment