Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, on Tuesday did not attend the burial of his late father, Pa Ibrahim Dasuki. Dasuki was buried at Hubbaren Shehu, Sokoto, after a funeral prayer at the Sultan Bello Juma’at Mosque in the state.
Dasuki, who was the 18th Sultan of Sokoto died at the age of 93 on Monday at the Nigeria-Turkish hospital, Abuja, after a protracted illness.
However, some Nigerians have reacted divergently on the absence of the deceased’s son, Sambo.
Many of the comments attacked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, for allegedly not allowing Dasuki travel to Sokoto.
Many likened the event to that of 1985 where Buhari was not allowed to be present at the burial of his late mum.
Dasuki is currently in detention over the innaproprate disbursement of the arms fund under former president Goodluck Jonathan.
In 1985, Col. Dasuki was among officers in power.
The government at that time allegedly refused to grant Buhari the chance of seeing remains of his late mum.
But in a swift response, the government through the Minister of Interior, AbdulRahman Dambazau, said Dasuki declined the offer to pay last respect to his father.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding Dasuki’s absence, an impeccable source told DAILY POST Tuesday evening that: “Yes, it is true Dasuki opted not to travel. Dasuki has been in detention since December 2015. His lawyers and government’s counsels have argued several times in the courts and he has been granted bail.
“He told them that ‘look, three different High Courts in Abuja have granted me bail. The ECOWAS Court had also ordered my release and none was respected. So asking me to go to Sokoto for a few hours and return is not what I want’.
“Respect the court; let me go home. You have my passport, you can be following me secretly, I don’t mind. But following me everywhere with guns is a NO. If that’s is the case, thanks but keep the offer’.
Continue, the source added that: “They were going to take him there like a common criminal. They have already whipped up sentiments against him. So he told them if he has to go see his people, he should go a free man not surrounded by armed operatives.
“Also, don’t forget that there are people who believe Dasuki is a victim of witchhunt. Government once told the court that this man is popular and will be a threat if released.
“Now you say he should go to his home town while under incarceration. What if some persons who feel aggrieved confront security operatives and insist that Dasuki be freed by force? They will open fire on innocent people and claim they were sponsored. His decision to stay away was well thought.”
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