Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists, yesterday, entered Beneshiekh town, the administrative center of Kaga Local Government Area in Borno State, and killed the Chief Imam Sheikh Baba Goni Muktar Malumti.
They also ignited a fire that destroyed several Islamic books that belonged to the late scholar.
The deceased was a well-respected Islamic teacher and served as the Chief Imam of the Juma’at Mosque in Beneshiekh.
In a separate series of attacks, another group of terrorists invaded Makinta Kururi village in Beneshiekh, kidnapping two hunters.
It is worth noting that just last month, the Chief Imam’s younger brother was also killed by insurgents. Beneshiekh, situated along the major Kano-Damaturu-Maiduguri highway, is approximately 70 kilometers away from Maiduguri.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Chairman of Kaga Local Council, Mustapha Baima, expressed his dismay at the latest terrorist attacks. He stated, “We received a distress call reporting that Boko Haram militants killed the Chief Imam of Beneshiekh Jummat Mosque in his residence around 1:15 a.m. on Monday.
“The terrorists first invaded the house of one Islamic Scholar (names withheld), but when they realized the picture they were carrying for execution did not resemble that of the Chief Imam as a target, they asked him to go back to the house and remain quiet.”
“Thereafter, they went to another house where the Chief Imam was praying. The terrorists then opened fire on getting their target. The terrorists also set ablaze some Islamic Books after killing the Chief Imam.”
“Another set of terrorists invaded Makinta Kururi and abducted two hunters. This is in addition to the killing of a younger brother to the late Chief Imam.”