The burial rites for former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari have commenced in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, following his death in London on Sunday.
A solemn crowd gathered in Daura as funeral prayers were offered for the late statesman, who twice served as Nigeria’s civilian president and earlier as military head of state. His body arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday afternoon and was received in Katsina by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and several dignitaries, including foreign leaders from neighbouring West African nations.
A military honour guard stood in formation as a 21-gun salute echoed in tribute to the late leader’s service to the nation.
Funeral prayers, attended by senior government officials, military officers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, were held in line with Islamic tradition. His final resting place is at his private residence in Daura, where arrangements are in place for his interment.
President Tinubu, who had earlier spoken with the late president’s widow, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has declared a period of national mourning, with flags ordered to fly at half-staff across the country. The National Assembly has also suspended legislative activities until July 22 in honour of Buhari.
Buhari was Nigeria’s military ruler from 1984 to 1985 before returning as a democratically elected president in 2015 and again in 2019. He leaves behind a legacy that has drawn both praise and critique, but few dispute his impact on Nigeria’s modern political history.
The burial is being coordinated with full state honours.
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