The minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, has described the death of the late Emir of Gwoza, Idrissa Timta, as a sacrifice that should propel the military to finding a solution to the Boko Haram menace.

Wakil said this as the body of the late monarch was laid to rest on Friday in accordance with Islamic law.

He also condemned the killing of the monarch as barbaric, disrespectful and utterly unislamic, saying it was reprehensible for the sect to attack revered emirs of Askira, Abdullahi Ibn Muhammed Askirama II, the late emir of Gwoza, Idrissa Timta and the Emir of Uba, Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II.

“Words cannot express my sadness. I am heart broken and nothing can comfort us on this tragic occasion. Our late Emir is a community leader of repute who dedicated his life to peaceful, harmonious living among people of Borno and other Nigerians,” he said in a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesman.

He further extolled the late monarch as a man of peace and a leader per excellence, who contributed immensely to the development, stability and progress of his domain, Borno state and Nigeria as a whole.

“Our consolation is that the Emir lived a fulfilled life, served humanity and Allah to the last and remained committed to one indivisible Nigeria despite the insurgency. This death and that of our many compatriots in this conflict will further propel the Nigerian state to intensify operations which will restore peace to our dear state,” the minister said.

Late Timta was ambushed by suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect in Shafa on Friday morning enroute Gombe where he and the two other monarchs were to pay last respects to the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar, who died on Tuesday.

His body was discovered in the bush after the attack and was buried Friday evening amidst tears from sympathisers who thronged his residence to console the family.