Boko Haram Strikes Again; Kill Traditional Ruler in Borno
Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect have killed the District Head of Lawanti Ward in Bale, which is under Borno Emirate in Borno State, Alhaji Baba Zarabe.
The gunmen were said to have besieged the palace of the district head at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday night and shot him on the head and chest before fleeing.
It was gathered that while the traditional ruler was killed, his wives and children were compelled to watch the gory scene.
Bale district is 165 kilometres south of Maiduguri, and is located in Damboa Local Government Area.
Speaking to journalists on phone Wednesday, a palace staff said the gunmen came in two Golf Volkswagen vehicles and two motorcycles from Damboa on the Gwoza-Damboa road and demanded to see the district head.
The palace resident noted that the gunmen did not betray their intentions to kill everyone as they fired several gunshots into the air as a warning that they meant business.
The palace staff further added that immediately they saw the traditional ruler, they shot at him in the chest and head.
The palace staff further added that immediately they saw the traditional ruler, they shot at him in the chest and head.
“All of us at this palace were shocked and terrified and had to run into various directions for safety into our houses and shops, before one of the gunmen chanted, God is great and fled towards Damboa, in the same vehicles used in the attacks and killing of our District Head yesterday (Tuesday),” the palace staff told journalists.
He further added that: “No other person was killed or injured, as the gunmen appeared to have come for our district head.”
The district head of Pulka, Alhaji Ali Pulka, was last month killed at his palace, while three district heads in northern Borno were also killed by suspected gunmen at their respective palaces last December and in January this year.
Confirming the incident, the state police command spokesman, Mr. Gideon Jibrin, said there was an attack at one of the district head’s palace in southern Borno, where the traditional ruler of Bale was feared killed by suspected armed hoodlums.
He said no arrests had been made, but stated that investigation was ongoing.
Culled from ThisDay
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