Bauchi-based prominent and some would add, controversial Sunni scholar, Imam (Dr) Idris Abdul’aziz Dutsen Tanshi has passed on after a protracted illness that took him to Saudi Arabia and India on a medical recovery mission.
It was clear that Almighty Allah destined that Dr Dutsen Tanshi’s grave would be in Bauchi. He died Thursday night, April 3, 2025 at his residence. His funeral prayers, held on Friday, was observed by Islamic disciples from both within and outside Bauchi cosmopolitan area.
The funeral prayer at his Eid ground in the Games Village area of Bauchi metropolis, was attended by prominent Islamic scholars, businessmen, civil servants and thousands of sympathisers.
Sheikh Dutsen Tanshi was born in 1957 in Gwaram village, Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State. He began his Islamic education under local scholars before advancing to international institutions. His academic journey included studies at the College for Islamic and Legal Studies in Misau, Bauchi State; Bayero University, Kano; the Islamic University in Niger; the Islamic University of Madina in Saudi Arabia; the University of Jos in Plateau State; and Sudan University of Technology, where he earned a PhD in Usul al-Fiqh (Islamic Legal Theory). Upon his return to Nigeria, Sheikh Idris founded the Dutsen Tanshi Majlis in Bauchi, where he serves as the Chief Imam.
Malam was also known as a vocal critic of the poor policies implemented by past civilian governments, which he viewed as oppressive to the common people. He had adversity with all civilian governors of Bauchi State dating back to the administration of former Governor Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu and predecessors, mostly on policies or programmes, as well as other Islamic sects and school of thoughts on different views.
He played a significant role in the political downfall of Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar and actively supported Bala Mohammed in the 2019 elections, believing that Bala’s administration would align with his vision for governance. However, after Bala Mohammed assumed office, serious differences quickly emerged between them.
The renowned Islamic could also be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the Sunni principles and practice and his deep-rooted opposition to Bid’ah, while his efforts in promoting monotheism earned him the title of ‘Dr. Tauhidi” from his disciples.
The late Dutsen Tanshi was throughout his lifetime, an advocate for Islamic education and reform, establishing several qur’anic and Islamiyyah institutions to nurture a future generation of scholars and imams.
His lectures and Friday sermons were effectively followed, both physically in person and online, influencing countless Muslims across West Africa, while emphasising the need for the Muslims Ummah to abide by or follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi-Wassallam).
But the late Sheikh’s adversity became more pronounced with the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, with whom hitherto (or at the inception of the administration in 2019), he was in good terms to the extent that the governor initially used to visit the cleric’s residence at Dutsen Tanshi.
Things however took a different turn with the two erstwhile associates disagreeing on issues bordering on governance in the state where Idris believed there was a lot of wrong doing in the Bala administration, taking into cognisance that he (Dutsen Tanshi) contributed positively during the campaigns of the incumbent governor.
The relationship between the two continued to deteriorate culminating into the hurling of abusive words between them.
At a time, the Bauchi State Police Command declared the cleric wanted for alleged contempt of court, and since then the adversity between Mallam and constituted authorities began to grow.
The Police authority had, in a special Gazette, said that the directive for wanting the Mallam came from the Office of the Inspector General of Police, urging that anyone with information, saw him or knew where Abdulazeez was hiding should report to the nearest police authority.
According to the Bauchi State Police Command’s statement of April 8, 2024, the Commissioner of Police, making efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations among the notable figures in the state, spearheaded a peace pact between Malam Idris Abdul’aziz and the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Police State Command.
The Bauchi State Police Command eventually suspended the declaration for the arrest of Mallam following an intervention by the National Security Adviser, but then came in a court ligation through an Upper Shari’a Court 1 sitting in Bauchi presided over by Mallam Hussaini Turaki that at one time remanded Imam Idris Abdul’aziz.
The defendant filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Upper Shari’a Court and eventually the case ended in out-of-court settlement after a peace move brokered between Mallam and Governor Bala Mohammed by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu
It was stated during the truce that Sheikh Idris Abdul’aziz, now late, should understand that while he enjoyed the right to freedom of speech, he should not use the pulpit as a platform to insult or make derogatory statements against others.
The ailment of the late Sheikh Abdul’aziz was however said to have started last year after regaining his freedom from the remand at the Bauchi correctional centre during his trial for alleged public disturbance, in which period, the cleric was also said to have perpetuated contempt of Court for refusal to attend a sitting.
Ever since the truce signing when the late Mallam freely went back home, the ailment became stronger and more noticeable all over his body, from one pain to another, and sometimes even unable to walk a short distance within the vicinity of his residence, a situation that made him seek medical attention within the country, and eventually abroad.
The late Dr Abdul’aziz’s last search for medicals was in India where, according to the grapevine, he was told that his ailment was incurable, and it was then that Mallam out of his own personal volition decided to return home, where he passed on in the midst of family members at the age of 68.
The Late Mallam spent about 40 years preaching the word of God.
Described as bold and fearless, the late Dr Abdul’aziz was an Islamic cleric, farmer and businessman whose social disposition knew no bounds, neither did he praise-sing any human being no matter his status in the society.
Adieu, the late Sheikh Idris Abdul’aziz Dutsen Tanshi Bauchi.
Despite the differences between them, Governor Bala Mohammed has pledged to restore the Games Village Eid Ground in honour of the late Sheikh Idris.
Governor Mohammed has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and followers of the late Sheikh Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi.
Leading a delegation of senior government officials, Governor Mohammed visited the late Sheikh’s family to offer sympathies on behalf of himself, his family, the government and the people of Bauchi State.
Describing Sheikh Idris as a fearless preacher dedicated to the authentic teachings of Islam, justice and the rule of law, the governor noted that his passing was a great loss to the state; a loss of wisdom, knowledge and spiritual leadership.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the late Sheikh Aljannatul Firdaus and to bless his family with the strength to bear the loss.
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