- Suleiman Aliyu Garga died on Saturday after emergency surgery at Adamawa hospital
- He had earlier posted on Facebook asking for prayers against toothache
- Aide to Governor Fintiri buried in Yola on Sunday in accordance with Islamic rites
A close aide to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Suleiman Aliyu Garga, has died just three days after he publicly complained about a severe toothache.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Garga, who served as the Special Assistant on Content Creation to the governor, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2025. His death came barely 24 hours after he reportedly underwent a surgical procedure at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital.
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In a chilling social media post made on Thursday, July 17, Garga had written on Facebook:
“You should pray to God to save you from toothache even if it is for 1 minute Alaji. Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
According to sources familiar with the matter, Garga developed complications shortly after the surgery, which led to excessive bleeding. Efforts to stabilise him were unsuccessful.
His sudden death has shocked colleagues, friends and followers on social media who remember his final post as a tragic premonition.
He was laid to rest at the Yolde Pate Muslim Cemetery in Yola on the morning of Sunday, July 20, after prayers at the Modibbo Zailani Mosque in Yola Town. The burial followed Islamic rites.
At the time of this report, the Adamawa State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sympathisers have begun to flood his last Facebook post with messages of grief and condolences.
Commenters online have questioned the circumstances of his death, raising concerns over the state of public healthcare in Nigeria and suggesting possible negligence.
Some speculate that an underlying health condition may have worsened the situation, while others blame a lack of access to proper post-operative care and equipment in the public health sector.
“He might have been diabetic, which can complicate surgical recovery,” one user wrote.
Another wrote, “This country is a ticking time bomb. A simple dental issue leading to death is not just sad — it’s a reflection of how broken our system is.”
Garga’s death has also sparked conversations around the importance of dental health and the need for timely and qualified medical intervention for what may seem like minor ailments.
Born and raised in Adamawa, Garga was described by many as a passionate media enthusiast, committed to promoting the work and vision of the Fintiri-led administration.
His colleagues in government and the media community have expressed sorrow over the loss of a promising and dedicated aide, whose contributions were reportedly instrumental in shaping digital communication for the governor.
He is survived by close family members and colleagues who described him as humble, hardworking and deeply spiritual.
Plans for any official tribute from the state government or condolence visit by Governor Fintiri are yet to be confirmed.
