Ahmed Abubakar, the immediate past Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), was warmly welcomed back to his hometown of Katsina on Friday, where he was greeted with cheers and jubilation from the Katsina Emirate Council and local residents.
Abubakar, who holds the esteemed title of Sardaunan Katsina, arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport, where he was met by a delegation from the emirate council, along with family members, friends, and well-wishers. His return to Katsina was marked by a celebratory procession through the streets, with residents offering praise and expressing their admiration for his service to the nation.
Upon reaching the Emir of Katsina’s palace, Abubakar offered his condolences to the Emir, Dr. Abdulmuminu Kabir-Usman, following the recent passing of the Emir’s younger brother, Hassan Kabir-Usman, who died after a brief illness. In his address, the former NIA chief thanked the emirate council for their unwavering support during his tenure at the helm of Nigeria’s security intelligence agency. He also pledged to continue supporting the council in the future.
The Emir, in turn, welcomed Abubakar back to Katsina and commended him for his dedicated service to the nation. Abubakar, who led the NIA for seven years, officially resigned from his position on August 24, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Appointed as the Director-General of NIA in 2018, Abubakar cited “personal, family issues” as the reason for his resignation. A native of Katsina State, the 71-year-old retired career foreign service officer holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in French from Bayero University, Kano. In addition to French, he is fluent in English and Arabic.
Abubakar’s return to Katsina marks the beginning of a new chapter for the seasoned diplomat, as he transitions from his role in national service to a more personal and community-focused life.
