Abuja — Alhaji Lawal Idris Bagiwa, the Sarkin Fulani of Hamcheta and a respected traditional ruler, retired senior customs officer and community leader, has died in Abuja. He passed away in a hospital in the Federal Capital Territory after a brief illness.
The death of Alhaji Bagiwa was confirmed by family and community sources. Funeral (janaza) arrangements are expected to be announced later. Allah ya jikansa da rahama, ya gafarta masa kura-kuransa, ya sa Aljanna Firdausi ta zama makomarsa.
Alhaji Lawal Idris Bagiwa was a prominent figure in Katsina State and northern Nigeria, widely known for his long service in public institutions and his influential role in traditional leadership and peace advocacy.
Born in Hamcheta, Katsina State, Alhaji Bagiwa was raised in a Fulani household where discipline, honesty and communal responsibility were deeply valued. These principles defined his life and public career.
He joined the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) as a young officer and devoted 34 years to the service. Over the decades, he served in various operational and administrative capacities across Nigeria, particularly in strategic border and command locations critical to national security and revenue generation.
Through diligence and professionalism, he rose steadily through the ranks, culminating in his appointment as an Assistant Comptroller General of Customs before his retirement. Colleagues and subordinates alike recall him as a firm, principled and humane officer who understood the complex realities of border communities.
After retiring from the Customs Service, Alhaji Bagiwa returned fully to community life. He was subsequently turbaned as the Sarkin Fulani of Hamcheta, becoming the leader and representative of the Fulani community in the area.
In this capacity, he also served as a councilor in the Katsina Emirate Council, where he played advisory roles on traditional, security and social matters. As a traditional ruler, he was actively involved in conflict mediation, peace-building and community reconciliation, particularly in areas affected by farmer–herder disputes and insecurity.
His palace was widely regarded as a centre for dialogue, where elders, youth leaders, government officials and security agencies engaged on issues affecting peace and coexistence.
Alhaji Bagiwa gained national attention for his outspoken views on insecurity and banditry in the North-West. In several media engagements, including an interview with Daily Trust, he argued that while security operations were necessary, dialogue, inclusion and economic empowerment should also form part of efforts to end violence.
Though his views sometimes generated public debate, supporters described him as a pragmatic leader driven by a desire to save lives and restore stability in troubled communities.
Beyond leadership and advocacy, Alhaji Bagiwa was committed to rural development and economic empowerment, particularly among Fulani communities. He supported agricultural initiatives, including the promotion of gum arabic production, as a means of creating sustainable livelihoods and reducing youth vulnerability.
Until his death, Alhaji Lawal Idris Bagiwa remained an influential voice in traditional and public affairs, respected for his experience, candour and unrelenting commitment to peace and community development.
His passing marks the end of an era for many in Katsina State and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of service to the nation, dedication to traditional institutions, and tireless advocacy for peaceful coexistence.
