Missing emir of Gwoza reappears

By Aminu Imam with agency report

A security source yesterday disclosed that the emir of the besieged town of Gwoza, in Borno State, Muhammadu Timta, had been rescued from the Gwoza Hills where he fled from the insurgent group, Boko Haram.

According to Sahara Reporters , the emir and a few other hostages were able to escape in a heavy downpour of rain. The same source said that the fleeing emir’s wife was not so fortunate as members of Boko Haram identified her and reportedly murdered her.

The emir’s whereabouts were unknown, shortly after Boko Haram fighters sacked Gwoza and killed scores of residents last week,. But reports had it that the traditional ruler of the embattled town remained incommunicado because he fled with numerous other hostages to the surrounding hilly terrains around Gwoza.

“The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Muhammadu Timta, was declared missing, because we did not have any news about him for the first few days after the Boko Haram attack. But he later showed up after escaping through the mountains,” said a source.

He added, “The emir is now in Yola but will soon be on his way to Abuja for medical treatment. His wife was killed by members of the [Boko Haram] sect once they identified who she was.”