Armed men suspected to be members of the Boko Haram terrorist sect have kidnapped two Borno State first class traditional rulers.

Security officials in the area have disclosed that the two rulers are the Emir of Uba, Ismaila Mamza, and the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta. The two were given the status of first class traditional rulers in January this year.

The incident happened near Shaffa town in Zur village, Hawul local government area of Borno State, at about 10 a.m. on Friday as the Emirs were on their way to Gombe State to attend the funeral ceremony of the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar, who passed away on Tuesday.

Eyewitnesses say the monarchs were forcefully whisked away by heavily armed men suspected to be members of Boko Haram.

According to sources, another first class monarch, the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama, was in Abuja at the time of the kidnap. His representative has avoided the armed gunmen who intercepted the rulers of Uba and Gwoza.

The Borno State authorities are yet to issue a reaction to the development.

But a senior Police officer in the Borno State Police command, confirmed the development but pleaded anonymity. He added that, “some members of the palace guards who were with traditional rulers, were shot by the insurgents.”

According to the Police chief, “I cannot confirmed their condition now please, but I am heading to the Hospital to cross-check, possibly I call you back.”

The source added that the kidnapped traditional rulers were allegedly on their way to attend a meeting in Abuja.

It was also gathered that the duo has been speaking out lately against activities of the Islamic sect in the State.

In the past couple of months, Borno State has been a frequent target for Boko Haram insurgents. Although the Military and civilian vigilante groups are fighting the terrorists, many villages have been destroyed and ravaged. Hundreds of girls Kidnapped by the Boko Haram from Chibok town still remain in their hands.

Of late, the Islamic sect members in what security operatives described as diversionary, have shut down over 30 primary and secondary schools in Bolmo area of Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, a reliable source in the area has said.

Our source, a top-ranking Police officer and indigene of the State, who spoke with our Correspondent in a telephone interview on Wednesday under conditions of anonymity, revealed that the residents of the area have informed the security agencies of the latest development, adding that the suspected terrorists are in full control of the area.  He also said they are recruiting youths at Gwani village of Gwaram, giving them the sum of N50,000 and brand new motorcycles.

“They have captured villages around the area and even warned the villagers to stop going to western  schools, viewing centres and any other social events,” the source said.  “They have taken over the area since around February of this year; residents complied because they threatened to burn their houses if they did not obey their order”.

The source further stated that the terrorists, who number over 1,000 and are armed with sophisticated weapon, are normally transported into Bolmo area in trucks, and have informers among the residents who are reporting to them the presence of any stranger in the area.

He also told our Correspondent that the militants have arrested many people who declined to comply with their instruction, most of those, according to him, being Kanuri but who also speak Hausa fluently.

The source recalled that the terrorists burnt Yelwan Darazo School about two months ago when residents shunned their order.

According to him, “Some of them are very fair in complexion. There is no security presence in the area because the policemen around the area have since left. They are forcing people to listen to their preaching and sometime force people to shut down their businesses and listen to their preaching”.

Our reporter’s efforts to contact the Police spokesman in Jigawa State, Superintendent of Police Abdul Jinjiri, proved abortive.

Similarly, hundreds of people have allegedly fled their homes in Bama and Gwoza, both in Borno State and sharing boundaries with Republic of Cameroon, following a wave of attacks and threats by suspected members of the Boko Haram.

Security operative who spoke to our Correspondent alleged that dozens of people, including men, women and children, who fled from the towns, at the Muna Garage in Maiduguri shortly after their arrival from Bama, Gwoza and adjoining communities are yet to return.

Bama, one of the hitherto thriving business hubs of Borno State, is 78 kilometers away from the state capital while Gwoza, an equally prosperous business and farming community is 135 kilometers away from Maiduguri. The last Monday attack in Bama, allegedly left over 40 policemen, 13 prison warders, 3 soldiers, 10 Boko Haram suspects and several civilians dead.

Police barracks and Mobile Police formations, including the offices of the Area Commander and the Police Divisional Officer were all razed down during the attack which was launched few weeks after similar one in Baga, a fishing town in northern Borno where over 200 people were killed and over 2000 houses burnt, according to locals and some politicians from the area.