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A preacher who believed God had blessed him with multiple wives has died, leaving behind at least 86 widows.

Mohammed Bello Masaba, a Muslim cleric from Nigeria, fathered at least 150 children with his score of wives before his death aged 93.

The teacher believed he was allowed to marry his 86 wives because he had been blessed by Allah.

His personal assistant confirmed Masaba, known as 'Baba', had died.

He said: "Baba had told us that his time was up. He told me personally during his last moment that he has completed his divine assignment and was ready to meet his creator.

(Image: CEN)

"He told us to remain dedicated to the cause of Islam and urged us all not to deviate from all his teachings on righteousness, piety and total submission to the will of Allah.

"He warned us to shun adultery but that we are free to marry as many women as possible instead of piling up cuncubines because it is ‘Hallal’ before Allah."

He lived with his huge family in a multi-storey compound when his extraordinary lifestyle became known in 2008.

(Image: CEN)

Masaba, who was known to his followers as 'Baba', was arrested for apparently violating to Koran's rule that a man can't have more than four wives.

But one of his wives, Ganiat Mohammed Bello, told the BBC she was "the happiest woman on earth".

She said: "I am the happiest woman on earth.

"When you marry a man with 86 wives you know he knows how to look after them."