The Nigeria Police Force Monday  announced the passing away of the wife of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Hajia Mariam Mohammed Abubakar.

Mariam, 48, was said to have died in the early hours of Monday  in the family house at Gandun  Albasa quarters of Kano after a brief illness.

She was buried at the Tarauni Cemetery at about Noon according to Islamic rites.
In a release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olusola Amore, a deputy commissioner of police (DC), Mariam  was survived by her husband, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar and three children.

As news of her death spread, condolence messages continued to pour in for the acting Inspector-General of police and the family

President Goodluck Jonathan, who expressed shock at the death, described her passage as “sad, painful and untimely”, more so now that the IG needed her most in his bid to tackle the security challenges of the country.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, commended the late woman for her concern and care for the less privileged in the society.

“The President on behalf of the Federal Government prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of Hajia Mariam eternal rest and grant her husband and family the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss”,  the statement said.

President of the Senate, David Mark, has also sent a message of condolence to the acting Inspector General of Police.

In the message, Mark said he was saddened that Mariam died at a time when her supportive hands were needed by her husband to pilot the affairs of the force.
Mark said, “I earnestly share in your pains and wish that Almighty Allah in His infinite mercies grant you and the entire family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu  Tambuwal, also sent his condolences to the family.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, the Speaker  prayed to Allah to grant the deceased jannat, and give her husband and other members of her family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“I wish to express my condolence, and that of the House of Representatives, over this monumental loss. Hajiya Mariam has fulfilled her obligation in this world. May the almighty Allah (SWT) forgive her shortcomings and reward her good deeds with jannatul firdaus,”  Tambuwal said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, has described the death of as shocking and sad.

Reacting to the news of the death yesterday in Kano, Olubolade said the sad incidenct, happening shortly after Abubakar's appointment, was lamentable and expressed the hope that it would not affect his dogged determination to fight crime and criminality in the nation.

The minister, in a release signed by his Spokesperson, Mr. James Odaudu, expressed the sadness and the condolence of the management and staff of the ministry to the Inspector General of Police and prayed for eternal rest for her departed soul.