Ribadu denies reports of mother’s death

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has dismissed social media reports claiming that his mother died on Monday, January 19, 2026, describing the information as false and misleading.

In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle early Tuesday, Ribadu said his mother passed away 28 years ago, stressing that the online publication had wrongly attributed a recent family loss to her.

“I have been inundated with calls and messages from friends and associates following an inaccurate online publication claiming that my mother passed away on Monday, 19 January 2026,” he wrote.

“While I sincerely appreciate the concern and messages of condolence, it is important to clarify that the report is false and misleading. My mother of blessed memory died 28 years ago and therefore could not have passed away on Monday.”

Ribadu explained that the recent bereavement in his family was the death of his late uncle’s wife, Hajja Mamma Sulaiman Ribadu, who passed away on Monday.

“The person who passed on Monday is Hajja Mamma Sulaiman Ribadu, the wife of my late uncle. May Allah SWT forgive her shortcomings, grant her mercy, and admit her into Aljannat Firdaus,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to Nigerians and well-wishers who reached out to sympathise with his family, praying that Allah rewards them for their support.

The clarification followed widespread circulation of the incorrect report on social media, which had prompted an outpouring of condolence messages to the NSA.