Emir of Zuru dies in London after ‘brief illness’

Mohammed Sani Sami, the Emir of Zuru in Kebbi state, has died.

The emir died on Saturday at the age of 81 in a hospital in London, United Kingdom.

The Kebbi government announced his passing in a statement issued on Sunday by Ahmed Idris, the chief press secretary.

Idris quoted Garba Umar-Dutsinmari, Kebbi commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs, as saying the emir died after a brief illness in London.

Umar-Dutsinmari said the burial arrangements of the emir would be communicated later.

“The Kebbi Government is using this medium to extend its heartfelt condolences to his immediate family members, Zuru Emirate Council, Zuru people and the entire people of Kebbi,” the statement reads.

“May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”

The late monarch was the military governor of Bauchi state from January 1984 to August 1985 during the military regime of the late Muhammadu Buhari.

He was turbaned as the emir in 1995.

He  joined the Nigerian Army on December 10, 1962 and was commissioned on July 25, 1963.