BREAKING: Detained El-Rufai Loses Mother, May Be Absent From Burial

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has lost his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.

The announcement was made on Friday afternoon by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

In a statement shared via Facebook, Bello disclosed that the family matriarch passed away “a few hours ago,” expressing gratitude for her life and calling for prayers.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we shall all return. I would like to inform the public of the demise of my Grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai who passed away a few hours ago,” he wrote.

He further described the deceased as the “biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir @elrufai,” while praying for Allah’s mercy upon her soul.

“We are grateful for the life she lived and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. May He bless the soul of the parents we have lost. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers. Thank you,” the statement added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the incident happened amid the ongoing detention and trial of the deceased’s son and former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a development that makes his participation in his mother’s burial rites uncertain.

The burial will take place in line with Islamic traditions which typically require prompt interment.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation regarding arrangements for the funeral or whether authorities will grant the former governor temporary release to participate in the burial.