Bauchi: Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar and a high-ranking cleric of the Sufi order has died at the age of 98.

News of his death started circulating early Thursday morning.

A former presidential aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, in a post on X confirmed the death of the revered Islamic scholar.

“It is with a heavy heart and complete submission to the will of Allah (SAW) that we receive the news of the passing of our revered leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, one of the leaders of the Tijjaniyya order in Nigeria,” he wrote.

The deceased’s son, Sayyadi Ali Dahiru Usman Bauchi, also confirmed his death to Daily Trust.

“It is confirmed. Sheikh has returned to his creator. We are all from Allah, and to Him we shall all return.

“It is time for Sheikh to rest. We thank Almighty Allah. Allah has done everything for us to spare the life of Sheikh till this time. Sheikh’s life was well spent. Alhamdulillah.
“I’m right now in Madinah, so I cannot confirm to you where the remains of the Sheikh will be buried; maybe in Abuja or Bauchi,” he said.

A close associate of the 98-year-old cleric, Daha Azhary Bauchi, also wrote, “Innaa lillahi wa innaa ilaihi raji’un… Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi has passed away (Wafaty). May Allah bless us with his blessings.”