Abacha is dead - Family source

The death has occurred of Abdullahi Sani Abacha, son of former President of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha.

Abdullahi Abacha, the second-to-the-last son of the former military head of state, was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon.

A family source said: “He was hale and hearty last night but was found dead this morning. He died peacefully in his sleep."

His sister, Fatimah Gumsu Abacha-Buni, who is the First Lady of Yobe State,also announced this on Saturday via her verified Instagram page.

He died in his sleep, at the family’s residence in Nelson Mandela Street, Abuja.

She wrote, “Innalillahi wa inna ilahi rajiun (Surely, we belong to Allah and verily to Him do we return). I lost my younger brother Abdullahi Sani Abacha. He died in his sleep. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him jannatul firdaos (paradise), Ameen. Please include him in your prayers”.

Funeral prayers would be held at the National Mosque in Abuja at 4 p.m.

The deceased is one of the nine children of the former Head of State.