By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Idris, son of late former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris, has said his father’s remains will be formally handed over to the Kogi State Government for further burial rites.
Abdullahi Idris made the clarification in a statement on Friday, following discussions over the custody of the remains of the former governor, who died in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2026.
According to Abdullahi, he remains the legitimate custodian of his father’s remains before the formal handover to the state government.
He said he had written to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to formally communicate his position.
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The development comes after the Kogi State Government announced plans for a state burial for the former governor.
Governor Ododo had declared three days of mourning following Idris’ death and announced that the state government would take full responsibility for the burial arrangements and expenses.
The state government subsequently constituted a high-powered burial committee headed by Deputy Governor Joel Salifu Oyibo.
According to the government, the committee was established to coordinate arrangements for a peaceful, dignified and befitting burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Abdullahi said his position was not to reject the state government’s involvement but to clarify the custody of his father’s remains before the formal handover.
He also rejected other reports circulating in the media concerning who is authorised to take custody of the remains.
The family had earlier announced that the remains would arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, with Janazah prayer scheduled at the Abuja National Mosque and burial at Gudu Cemetery.
The family statement said the arrangement was in accordance with the personal wish of the late former governor.
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The former governor, popularly known as “Ibro,” governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012. He was 77 when he died.
Meanwhile, representatives of the family had earlier pledged cooperation with the state government’s burial committee.
The head of the family, Alhaji Haruna Idris, expressed appreciation for the government’s support and assured the committee that the family would work with it to ensure a befitting burial.
Abdullahi, in his latest statement, maintained that all funeral rites would be conducted according to Islamic injunctions and the wishes of the deceased.