The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has died at the age of 84.

He was the 18th Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of the Zazzau Emirate Council.

The monarch, who ascended the throne in 1975 at the age of 36 died at the 44 Military Hospital, Kaduna on Sunday.

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, confirmed the Emir’s death.

The governor described the monarch’s death as “very sad,”

He tweeted:

VERY SAD: It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of the father of our state, His Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR. He died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna today after a brief illness. Janazah prayer in Zaria is scheduled for 5pm in Sha Allah. pic.twitter.com/hofOkMyl9N
— Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) September 20, 2020

Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant on New Media to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), also mourned the late Emir.

Ahmad tweeted, “President Muhammadu Buhari has been notified of the demise of Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr.) Shehu Idris, who died today at the age of 84 by Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State.

“The Emir of Zazzau died at the age of 84, he had been on the throne for over 40 years. May Allah forgive all his shortcomings and grant him Jannah al-Firdaus.”