BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Tragedy struck in Sokoto on Monday midnight as a devastating fire claimed the lives of Rabi’atu Bello Sifawa, her three children, and a domestic staff.
The late Rabi’atu was the daughter of Muhammed Bello Sifawa, who is the Secretary to the State Government.
Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday in Sokoto.
Registering the state government condolences, Bawa said: ”the fire outbreak, which occurred at about 3.00 am claimed the lives of Rabi’atu Bello Sifawa, daughter to the Secretary to the State Government and her three children, Fatimatu Bello Yusuf, Maryam Bello Yusuf,Abubakar Sadik Bello Yusuf as well a house help, Aishatu Muhammad”””.
He further added that according to Islamic rites, the funeral prayer for the deceased has been observed in Sifawa town of Bodinga Local Government.
“Those in attendance at the funeral were the state Deputy Governor, Idris Muhammed Gobir, Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Tukur Bala Bodinga, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi,representatives of Senator and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the State Chief Judge, Justice Saidu Sifawa.
“Others were the Grand Khadi, Shuaibu Sodangi Achida, Chief of Staff, Government House, Sokoto, Aminu Haliru Dikko, members of the legislature, Commissioners and Special Advisers””
“Also present at the funeral include, the State Commissioner of Police, SDS, Commandant, NSCDC, representatives of the Military and other security agencies, as well as heads of government’s parastatals, Permanent Secretaries, local government Chairmen, serving and retired civil servants, politicians and religious leaders among others.
