From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri
Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, at the weekend, defied security threat along Maiduguri-Konduga-Bama and Gwoza highways to attend the funeral prayers of the slain first-class traditional ruler in the state, Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Shehu Mustapha Idrissa Timta, who was killed by Boko Haram gunmen on Friday.
Late Timta was buried in his domain amidst tears.
Though the late monarch 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 were able attend his interment due to unpredictable security situation on the way and around Gwoza town.
Governor Shettima, his deputy, Zanna Umar Mustapha and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who is from Gwoza, were among other top government officials that attended the burial.
Shettima and his entourage left Maiduguri amidst tight security, powered by a combined force of about 200 soldiers of the 7th Division, Maiduguri, the police special squad and the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), who actually took the lead through the 135km deserted Maiduguri-Bama road.
Though Gwoza was badly affected by the on-going Boko Haram conflict that sacked many communities in the area, the burial was well attended by all kinds of sympathisers.
The crowded funeral was led by the Chief Imam of Gwoza, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Bamanga.
The governor who also battled to control his tears as he delivered his tribute and condolences described late Shehu Idrissa 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 monarch. May Allah give us yet another monarch that will love his people in the manner late Shehu Idrissa Timta did; during his life time, he was being eulogized as one king that can keep a venomous viper in his pocket, because of his superlative love for peace and tolerance.
“He was known as a monarch who never showed any discrepancy, whether of religion or tribe. The late emir has lived an exemplary life; he was a paragon of everything that is good in leader”, the governor stated.
