Damaturu’s Former Emir Dies in Saudi Arabia

The first Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Mai Aliyu Muhammad Biriri, is dead.

Aged 82, he died in Saudi Arabia after a protracted illness, leaving behind children, and 1 wife.

Mai Aliyu Biriri was appointed as the first Emir of Damaturu in August 1993 and removed by the military regime in January 1995.

The deceased was a Commissioner of Finance in 1984 in old Borno State, and he led the currency swap under the military government of President Muhammadu Buhari in 1984 in Western Borno which is the present Yobe state.

He was also a one-time Managing Director of Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting Company and formerly Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission, Yobe.

A family source told Daily Trust that ‘‘he died at 82 in one of the Saudi Arabian hospitals after a protracted illness. His burial is slated to take place at Masjidul Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in a time to be announced later.’’

When Daily Trust contacted the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Pilgrims Commission, Alhaji Usman Mai Aliyu Biriri, confirmed the development.

‘‘Yes, he is dead. As I’m speaking to you now we (family members) are receiving condolences at home. I will get back to you at an appropriate time,” he said.