The pilot of the Nigerian Air Force MI-171 jet Flight Lieutenant Ibrahim Adamu Abubakar, who died in the Niger State crash, has been laid to rest.
After a prayer at the Haruna Danja Jumma’at mosque, Gistlover learned that Abubakar’s remains were interred in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Sheikh Muhammad Sani Gumi, the mosque’s chief imam, led the prayer.
Hundreds of mourners from all walks of life attended the burial along with members of the deceased’s family.
At the Gaskiya Corporation mosque in Tudun Jukun, Zaria, the late pilot’s family had earlier offered a proxy funeral prayer (Salatul Gha’ib) for the deceased.
In an interview with Daily Trust, the deceased pilot’s older brother Abubakar Adamu explained how the family had previously held a proxy funeral prayer in the pilot’s absence because they were unable to receive his body.
He continued, “When we came to the conclusion that we might not see the body of Late Ibrahim, the family decided to hold a funeral prayer in his absence, which was observed on Thursday as prescribed by our religion, Islam.
When a deceased person’s corpse isn’t discovered, Muslims observe a prayer known as Salatul Gha’ib. Therefore, it is our duty as family members, whether the deceased is present or not, to offer the prayer.
“However, since the corpse has been found, it is also necessary for us to offer another appropriate funeral prayer for the deceased. We just did that, too.
According to Adamu, the family was saddened at first but later became hopeful that the late pilot had been blessed with Shahada that could bring him janna (heaven) in the afterlife because he died while liberating his people and the nation as a whole.
The pilot’s mother, Hajiya A’ishatu Adams, described her son as a “Hafiz” (someone who memorized the Holy Qur’an) and noted that he was always serene and quiet.
She said, “He was very gentle, generous and friendly as he was always guided by the doctrine of his religion. Ibrahim was one of the 27 children of the family and was so loved by all due to his good character.
He often called me on the phone while at work and asked me to pray for him. He never joked in seeking the blessings of his parents whenever he had the chance to call.
“My prayer is to seek for Allah’s mercy on him to repose his soul in Jannatul firdaus.”
