Suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect on Thursday ambushed three traditional rulers between the Biu –Azare-Garkida Road in Borno State.
The royal fathers are the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta, and his counterparts from Askira Abdullahi Askirama, and the Emir of Uba, Ismaila Manza.
A security source said on Friday that the Gwoza Emir was killed by the attackers while the Emirs of Askira and Uba were missing as at the time of filing the reports.
The Defence Headquarters however said the Emirs of Askira and Uba were rescued by Special Forces who were deployed in Garkida.
It was learnt that the Emirs were travelling to Gombe State to attend the burial ceremony of the late Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, when they ran into the suspected Boko Haram gunmen.
The source said the security escorts of the three emirs were also missing.
It was not clear whether they were abducted or killed by the attackers or they escaped.
However, the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, confirmed that the Emir of Gwoza died in the attack while Special Forces on deployment in Garkida rescued the Emirs of Askira and Uba.
“A band of terrorists today attacked the emirs of Gwoza, Uba & Askira who were travelling to Gombe for the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe.
“Troops deployed in Garkida responded to the attack. The emirs of Uba and Askira were secured, while the body of Emir Gwoza who died in the attack has been recovered. Any other detail later please,” he said in a text message.
