Match commissioner dies in Kano hotel

ONE of the match commissioners for the Week 15 matches of the Nigeria Premier League, Tanko Nuru, was on Monday found dead in his hotel room in Kano.

Nuru, who oversaw the match between Kano Pillars and Ikorodu United in Kano on Sunday, was reported dead on Monday morning by the hotel staff, who reportedly alerted the authorities.

The Nasarawa State indigene was said to have left for the hotel, where he slept, after the match.

Ikorodu United, who lost Sunday’s match 2-1, confirmed the death on their Twitter handle.

Their tweet read, “Mr Tanko Made sure everything went well in yesterday’s game. Only for him to be found dead in his hotel room. RIP

 “Our heart goes out to the family of Mr Tanko, match commissioner of @pillarsfc vs @FCIkoroduunited whom was found dead in his hotel room.

“Mr Tanko who was the match commissioner yesterday was found dead in his hotel room this morning in Kano. May his soul Rest in Peace.”

Kano Pillars media officer, Idris Malikawa, also confirmed the development to our correspondent, adding that the Match Commissioner was taken to the hospital in Kano on Monday, where he was confirmed dead.

He added that after conducting an autopsy, medical officials at the hospital said the late Tanko died from hypertension.

 “It is true that Mr Tanko Nuru, who was the match commissioner for the match we played against Ikorodu United yesterday (Sunday) is dead,” he said.

 “He was found dead in his hotel room and it was the hotel staff who found him. We took him to the hospital this morning and he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor-in-charge, who said he died of natural causes due to high blood pressure.

 “It is really a sad occurrence and we pray his family are given the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Until his death, Nuru was a former board member of the Nigeria National League whose tenure expired last year.