By Abdullahi M. Gulloma, Abuja, and AbdulRaheem Aodu, Kaduna
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday condoled with the government and people of Katsina state on the death of former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, Jonathan also commiserated with Yusufu’s family and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on the demise of the respected leader of the cultural and political association
.
He said: “The president shares their grief as they mourn the eminent Nigerian who served his country dutifully throughout his successful career in the Nigerian Police, and later on, as a politicalleader and elder statesman.
“The president believes that MD Yusufu, as he was fondly called by his friends and associates, will long be remembered for his outstanding political courage and exemplary determination during Nigeria’s transition to democracy after years of military rule.
“President Jonathan recalls that as leader of the Grassroots Democratic Movement at that time, the late MD Yusufu embodied some of the best values of bravery and patriotism.
“The President prays that Almighty Allah will grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn him.”
The ACF has also commiserated with Nigerians, the government of Katsina state and the family of Yusufu, describing him as a pillar and a respected bridge builder.
ACF, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, and made available to the media yesterday in Kaduna, said Yusuf, a former chairman of the ACF Central Working Committee, would be remembered for his love for peaceful coexistence, fairness, transparency and humility.
“Arewa Consultative Forum learned with a heavy heart the passing on of IGP (rtd) Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Yusuf, GCON, a former chairman of the Central Working Committee of the ACF today in Abuja after a protracted illness.
“ACF hereby commiserates with the government, the good people of Katsina state and indeed all Nigerians over the demise of IGP (Rtd) Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Yusuf, GCON. May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal peace in Aljanna Firdaus and may Allah (SWT) grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“The late Alhaji MD Yusuf was one of the first indigenous police officers to rise to the position of Inspector General of Police and a member of the regime that handed over power to a democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari in 1979. He was a highly trained police officer and gentleman whose landmarks in the security service of Nigeria are indelible.”