Shinkafi for burial today

The remains of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, who died on Wednesday, at a London hospital, will be interred today (Friday), after an Islamic funeral prayer to be held at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Sokoto.

A statement issued by a senior counsellor in the Caliphate and Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, said the Janaza prayer, will be held immediately after the Jumaat prayers at the mosque located just the Sultan’s palace.

“Marafa’s remains will arrive Sokoto on Friday morning. The Janaza rites will be held after the jumaat prayers, after which he will be interred at the Hubbare here, in Sokoto.”

“This is to correct the impression that the prayer and the internment will be held outside Sokoto,” the statement added.

Shinkafi, who holds the traditional title of Marafan Sokoto, died at the Harefield Hospital, Hill End Road, Harefield, Middlesex, in the United Kingdom on Wednesday afternoon after a prolonged illness.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, said that the death of Shinkafi came at a time when his experience, frank disposition and wise counsel were most needed by a nation faced with several challenges.

Dr Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that Shinkaf, who was Marafan Sokoto, was an accomplished public servant  and  a leading political light, who contributed  greately to the political programmes that led to the birth of the current republic, a professional, who did well as a legal icon  and a former Minister of Inter Affairs and the head of the nation’s secret service, then, the Nigeria Security Organisation (NSO).

According to him “The Marafan Sokoto, was a consummate politician, who had large followership across the country. He was a bridge builder. He was revered by his supporters and opponents. A man who will always say the truth at every point. He helped in mentoring many political office holders now occupying top positions in government at various levels. He was also a man who embodied the tradition of his people and that is why he held the important title of Marafa in the Sultan’s council.

Also, the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has described  Shinkafi as a  patriot, who served Nigeria well. “He was a destabilised Nigerian, who was passionate about the unity and progress of Nigeria. He was a man of great integrity and stable character as I have come to know him over decades,” he  said.

“Shinkafi served as a foremost security expert helping Nigeria to establish an intelligence and security structure that serves the country up till today. His death is a great national loss,” he said.