IGP’s wife, Maryam dies at 47...Buried in Kano amid tears

 Jonathan, Mark, Tinubu, others pay tributes
 From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The wife of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar is dead. Hajia Maryam Dikko Abubakar died yesterday in her family home on Gwandu Albasa Quarters, Kano. Her shocking death came a few days after her husband assumed office as the IGP. Although the exact cause of her death was not known immediately, it was gathered however, that the 47-year old Hajia died during a brief illness.

 She was buried according to Islamic rites yesterday at the Taurani Cemetery in the state capital, amid tears from her relations and sympathizers. Members of her immediate family were shocked by her death, given that she was convalescing from sickness when her death occurred.

 “We are surprised at her death as there was no sign that she was in such a bad shape. Though she has earlier shown signs of falling health and was placed on medication, she died immediately after returning from hospital,” a family-member said in Kano on Tuesday.

 Abubakar was flown into the state at about 11:30am and soon after, led the burial rites.
 After the interment, sympathizers and friends of the IGP, moved to his family home to join the rest of the Muslims to pray for the repose of the soul of his wife.

 Meanwhile, condolence messages from eminent Nigerians have been trailing the IGP’s wife’s death with President Goodluck Jonathan expressing shock at her demise. Jonathan, who is attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a condolence message to the IGP, described her death as “sad, painful and untimely” coming especially at this time when her husband needed her moral and emotional support as he faces the challenge of ensuring national security in his new post.
 The President who lauded the deceased’s concern about the plight of the less privileged, particularly orphans, also praised her several charity works even before she became the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA).
 On behalf of the Federal Government, the President prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of Hajia Maryam eternal rest and grant her husband and family the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss.

 He also sent a four-man Federal Government delegation to the burial led by the Minister of Police Affairs, Capt. Caleb Olubolade. Other members of thedelegation included the Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Mohammed Sada; his Labour and Productivity counterpart, Emeka Wogu and the Head of the Service of the Federation, Isa Bello Sali.

 Also condoling with the bereaved family, Senate President David Mark said he was saddened that Maryam died at a time when her supportive hands were needed by her husband to pilot the affairs of the Nigerian Police Force.
 His words: “I earnestly share in your pains and wish that Almighty Allah in His infinite mercies grant you and the entire family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
 While commiserating with the IGP, Oyo State Governor Ajibola Ajimobi, in a statement issued yesterday his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, described Mariam’s death as shocking, disheartening and highly unfortunate.

 Ajimobi also expressed regret that her death was coming at a time her husband needed her moral and spiritual support at tackling the security challenges confronting the country, particularly, the Boko Haram menace.
 While extolling the deceased’s virtues, the governor acknowledged her charity works as well as her commitment to the cause of the less-privileged in the society.
 He urged the IGP not to allow the death of his wife to dampen his spirit, rather, he should take it as an act of God, noting that death is a supreme prize which all mortals must pay.
 The governor therefore, prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest, and the husband as well as the entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

 Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Maryam’s death as a “rude shock and a sad development”. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader, in a statement said, “the news of the sudden death of your wife came to me as a rude shock. I’m indeed saddened by this development as a father and husband myself and I can only pray God almighty Allah would grant her soul repose…may you find the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
 He urged the IGP to take heart, stay focused and consider the incident as an inspiration that will spur him onto greater heights in the service of the country and humanity at large.