The body of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died aged 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, is being flown home to be buried in his hometown in Katsina state.
Katsina state governor Dikko Radda, who is in the British capital with Buhari’s family, said the former leader will be buried later today (Monday) in Daura town, about 80km from Katsina city.
Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima is also in London and will accompany President Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria.
The vice-president also confirmed Daura to be Buhari’s final resting place in a post on social media after arriving in London.
He said President Buhari had died after a brief illness without revealing any further details.
In line with Islamic teachings, the former leader is expected to be buried as quickly as possible in a simple ceremony, Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa told the BBC.
“The only thing that should stop Buhari’s remains from being buried today is if his body arrives in Daura at night because Islam frowns at night burials. In that case, Tuesday morning will be fine.”
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late army general who was one of only two people to have led Nigeria twice (both as military and civilian president) in its post-independence history.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, defeated by President Buhari in the 2015 election, described the late leader as someone who “was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism”.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to attend the funeral prayer in Daura, has declared a seven-day national mourning period in honour of his predecessor.
In an official condolence statement released on Sunday evening, President Tinubu said the nation will pay its final respects to the former leader with dignity and honour, starting with the lowering of all national flags to half-mast across the country from Sunday. – BBC
