Former NIA Director-General, Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim is dead

Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, a distinguished diplomat and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has passed away at the age of 81.

The revered diplomat reportedly died in the early hours of Sunday, though the exact cause of his death has not been disclosed at the time of this report.

A native of Katsina State, Ambassador Ibrahim held the traditional title of Talban Katsina within the Katsina Emirate. He was a schoolmate of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at Katsina Government College (GCK).

Ambassador Ibrahim served as the Director-General of the NIA from 1993 to 1998. Before this, he held the position of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in the early 1990s. In 2011, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, he was appointed as the national coordinator for anti-terrorism efforts, further cementing his legacy in public service.

The late diplomat’s remains are expected to arrive in Katsina on Sunday afternoon for burial, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Reacting to the news, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Mohamed, Governor Radda described Ambassador Ibrahim as an illustrious son of Katsina who served Nigeria with honor and distinction.

“The passing of Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim represents an irreparable loss not only to Katsina State but to Nigeria as a whole,” Governor Radda said. “His remarkable contributions to national security and diplomacy have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history. As Talban Katsina, he exemplified the noble values of our traditional institution and served as a bridge between tradition and modern governance.”

The governor extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, the Katsina Emirate Council, and the people of Katsina State. He prayed for Allah (SWT) to grant the late Ambassador Ibrahim Al-Jannatul Firdaus and to give his family the strength to bear this profound loss.