The Emir of Rano in Kano State,  Alhaji Tafida Abubakar Ila Auta Bawo, is dead.

He died on Saturday at a hospital in Kano at the age of 74.

A member of the House of Representatives and Turakin Rano, Alhassan Rurum, confirmed the death of the emir.

The lawmakers said the Emir died at a hospital after a brief illness.

He is survived by 17 children and two wives.

The Rano Emirate Council on Sunday confirmed that the emir was sick, but that his ailment was not related to COVID-19.

The clarification became necessary as rumours were been spread about the nature of the emir’s death.

The Rano Emirate Council is one of the four new emirates created by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on May 9, 2019.

The emirates of Gaya, Rano, Karaye and Bichi used to be districts under the Kano Emirate Council.