The death of Umaru Shinkafi, a businessman and retired policeman, has been announced

 The elder statesmen died at age 79 at  the Harefield Hospital, Hill End Road, Harefield, Middlesex, in the United Kingdom Wednesday afternoon after a prolonged illness.

Mr. Shinkafi, who held the traditional title of Marafan Sokoto, was a native of Zamfara State. He was a Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs and a presidential aspirant in the third Republic. He also had an extensive career in military intelligence.

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto State on the passing of former Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi.

In a statement by Mr. Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesman, President Buhari described the departed politician, administrator and technocrat, as an expert whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria would remain indelible.

Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, also commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara State and all Nigerians over the death of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Marafan Sokoto.

 Dogara, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, in Lagos, described the death of the elderstatesman as a huge loss to the nation.

He said Shinkafi was a true democrat who contributed immensely towards the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

“In all his years in the public service, Shinkafi distinguished himself as a patriot, committed and dedicated Nigerian,” the speaker said.

In a message of condolence issued in Sokoto by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Governor Aminu Tambuwal described Shinkafi as a distinguished legal luminary, security expert, politician with conscience and great community leader and mobiliser.

“Marafa’s death has closed a chapter in the life of one of Nigeria’s most valuable public officers, who made his mark in both public and private sectors. He was a truly passionate Nigerian whose invaluable contributions to issues of national interest will be greatly missed.

“His law office served as training ground for many aspiring lawyers in Sokoto State and beyond.