SHETTIMA LEADS NATIONAL DELEGATION TO SOKOTO FOR FUNERAL PRAYER OF LATE SARDAUNA, ALHAJI ABUBAKAR ALHAJI
By Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima GCON, arrived in Sokoto today, 30th July 2026, to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation at the funeral prayer of the late Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who passed away earlier today in Abuja.
The funeral prayer was held at the historic Sultan Bello Mosque, with thousands of mourners in attendance, including the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, as well as several ministers, the Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies, and numerous dignitaries from across the nation. The event drew a wide cross-section of national leaders and citizens who came to pay their final respects to the revered elder statesman.
The late Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, who was aged 87, was a distinguished career civil servant and diplomat. He served as Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Budget and Planning under the administration of former military President General Ibrahim Babangida and later represented Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1992 to 1996. Until his death, he held the revered traditional title of Sardaunan Sokoto, a title historically associated with the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Following the funeral prayer, the remains of the late Sardauna were laid to rest at the royal cemetery, Hubbaren Shehu, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Thereafter, Vice President Shettima, who was in the state at the behest of President Bola Tinubu GCFR, led the delegation to the Sultan’s Palace to condole with His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, over the passing of the late Sardauna. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the late elder statesman mercy and admit him into Aljannah Firdausi, while also praying for strength for the family, the Sultanate, and the good people of Sokoto State to bear this irreparable loss.
DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, anipr
Police Public Relations Officer
For: Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command
30th July, 2026
