BEVERLY HILLS, March 02, (THEWILL) – Kagara, lately in the news over the abduction of 42 students, staff and family members by bandits in Niger State, has again been hit by a fresh bout of tragedy.
The town’s Emir, Alhaji Salihu Tanko, is dead.
Confirming his death, a former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani tweeted: “I received the sad news of the death of the Emir of Kagara, Niger State, Alhaji Salihu Tanko. May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi. Amin. Inna lillahi wainna Illayhir rajiun.”
Salihu Tanko was appointed as the 16th Chief of Tegina in 1971.
On Jan 1, 1982, he was appointed as the second Chief of Kagara with a second-Class status to succeed Alh Ahmadu Attahiru who held the position until his death in November, 1981.
On 1st Nov. 1991, Alh Salihu Tanko was promoted to the rank of a First-Class Emir by the military Governor of Niger State Col. Lawan Gwadabe.
Kagara received global attention after the bandits stormed the Government College, and marched 25 schoolboys and 15 residents of the school into five days of captivity.
They regained their freedom after negotiations headed by Sheikh Gumi heared a delegation of government officials to meet the bandits.
A Nigerian Air Force plane on reconnaissance for the abducted people crashed in Abuja, killing all seven crew and officers on board.