Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died in a London clinic at the age of 82, says his family.
He was reported to have travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) in April this year, for a routine medical check-up but subsequently fell ill.
The cause of his death is yet to be disclosed but there were speculations about his ill health throughout his eight years in power.
President Buhari made history in 2015 as the first opposition candidate in Nigeria to defeat an incumbent and win the presidency with the promise to tackle corruption and insecurity.
The former soldier carried out a military coup in 1983 and ruled for twenty months before he was unseated through another coup.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the death of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari.
A press statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga today in Abuja stated that President Buhari died today in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness.
According to the statement, President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.
“President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria”, it stated.
Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2023. He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.
President Tinubu has ordered flags throughout the country to fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
