President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday announced the death of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London following a prolonged illness.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Buhari died at about 4:30pm in the United Kingdom, where he had been receiving treatment.
President Tinubu, who described the death as a painful national loss, said he had spoken with the widow of the late President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, and extended his heartfelt condolences to her and the entire Buhari family.
As part of the national mourning, Tinubu directed that all flags across the country and at Nigerian missions abroad be flown at half-mast in honour of the departed leader.
The President also dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to the United Kingdom to accompany the remains of the former President back to Nigeria.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, was later democratically elected and served two terms as President between 2015 and 2023.
Further details regarding burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the Presidency in due course.
