A high-ranking
traditional leader has been killed in northern Nigeria
after his convoy
came under attack by suspected Boko Haram militants.Gunmen shot dead the Emir of Gwoza, Shehu Mustapha Idris Timta, in his car.
Boko Haram has waged an increasingly bloody insurgency since 2009 to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to wage "total war" against the group, which has been held more than 200 girls captive since last month.
"They shot the emir of Gwoza. He died on the spot," Wali Ibrahim, an aide to the emir, told the BBC Hausa service.
"After he died we reversed back from that area and we went to the army checkpoint," he added.
Two other emirs, who were also in the convoy that was attacked in north-eastern Borno state, escaped unhurt.
They were all on their way to the funeral of the emir of Gombe, who died recently in London.
Borno state government confirmed the attack and said the gunmen were believed to be Boko Haram members, Reuters news agency reports.
BBC Nigeria analyst Naziru Mikailu says traditional rulers have been targeted for assassination by Boko Haram before, but attacks on them are rare.
Emirs, who command a lot of respect in the north, have taken a stand against the militants, he says.
Source:BBC
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