&w=3840&q=100)
Nigeria's former President Buhari to be buried in Daura amid tight security
Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari was on Tuesday set to be buried in his hometown, as funeral preparations got underway under the watchful eyes of a hefty security detail.
The former leader is set to be laid to rest in his family compound in the northwestern town of Daura, where chairs and tents have been set up in the courtyard to welcome mourners and his grave was being dug.
The compound security was so tight that some extended family found themselves locked out, according to AFP journalists on the scene.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, ruled Nigeria first as a military putschist in the 1980s and then later as a self-described 'converted democrat,' serving two terms as president from 2013 to 2025.
Residents of Daura have been making their way to his family home in Katsina state to pay their respects ahead of what is expected to be a traditional Islamic burial.
But as his body made its way from England on Tuesday, a massive security presence was set up, cutting off what had been a bustling, buzzing house full of mourners over the past two days.
Dozens of police and soldiers were guarding his family home Tuesday afternoon, while plainclothes officers patrolled inside.
Deployed in advance of the politicians and other high-profile guests expected to attend, the heightened level of security was highly unusual for the typically sleepy town.
Nigeria, particularly in the north, has for years suffered attacks from a jihadist insurgency and armed criminal gangs. Although he was elected on a mandate for change, Buhari's time in office failed to put an end to the violence.
Family members locked out
On Tuesday, security forces blocked the road to the family home, leaving mourners to make their way on foot.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The main doors to the home were barred by armed troops, who were only letting in a handful of mourners.
The only media access granted was to Nigerian state television, as well as the local Katsina state broadcaster.
Even Buhari's family members found themselves locked out, including Fatima Isah, who said she was the ex-president's 78-year-old niece.
'Buhari was my provider, but he is no more. To add to my torment, they have refused me entry,' said Isah, in between sobs.
A man who said he was the nephew of Buhari was denied access to the compound and hurled insults at the soldiers.
'Are you the ones who are going to bury him?' he asked in a challenge to the guards, who ignored him.
A security source told AFP that Buhari's remains will arrive by helicopter after landing at the Katsina airport.
In the meantime, a crowd of more than 300 people had gathered outside the home in anticipation of the funeral prayers.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
Fauja Singh death: Who is the NRI who rammed SUV and killed 114-yr-old marathoner?
Police arrested Amritpal Singh Dhillon for hitting and killing 114-year-old marathon legend Fauja Singh in Punjab's Jalandhar. During the investigation, Dhillon, an NRI from Canada, confessed to his crime, claiming he panicked when he hit Singh and fled the scene. Here's how police caught the man read more Fauja Singh, the 114-year-old marathon legend was hit by a speeding SUV driven by Amritpal Singh Dhillon in Punjab's Jalandhar district. The accused has now been arrested. File image/AFP Police have arrested the man accused of hitting and killing legendary marathoner Fauja Singh in a tragic road accident near his home in Punjab's Jalandhar district. The accused, Amritpal Singh Dhillon, was taken into custody on Tuesday night from Kartarpur, where he resides. Dhillon was reportedly behind the wheel of the speeding SUV that struck 114-year-old Singh on July 14 as he was crossing the Jalandhar–Pathankot Highway in Beas Pind. Singh, widely regarded as the world's oldest marathon runner, died shortly after the accident, sparking shock and grief across the world. Known as the 'Turbaned Tornado', Singh had become a global icon for running marathons well past the age of 100. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the Police, Dhillon has now been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rash driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Here's what we know so far about him Who is Amritpal Singh Dhillon? Amritpal Singh Dhillon, the man accused of fatally hitting 114-year-old marathon legend Fauja Singh, is a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) originally from Dasupur village near Kartarpur in Punjab's Jalandhar district. According to multiple news reports, Dhillon had returned to India from Canada just a week before the tragic incident. He was behind the wheel of the white Toyota Fortuner that hit Singh on July 14 while he was crossing the Jalandhar–Pathankot Highway near his home in Beas Pind. The SUV driver, Dhillon, claimed he did not initially know the victim he rammed his car into was Fauja Singh. He said he only found out about him through media reports later. File image/ X Police were able to track down the SUV using CCTV footage from the area. The number plate led them to Varinder Singh, a resident of Kapurthala, who was listed as the car's registered owner. Upon being questioned, Varinder told police that he had sold the vehicle to Dhillon two years ago. This led the investigating team to Kartarpur, where Dhillon was arrested on Tuesday night. According to a report by News18, Dhillon had sold his phone earlier that day in Bhogpur and was on his way home when the incident occurred. The First Information Report (FIR) noted that the vehicle was speeding and that after hitting Fauja Singh, Dhillon did not stop to help or take him to the hospital, an action that might have saved the elderly man's life. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dhillon has confessed to the hit-and-run. In his statement to police, he reportedly said he panicked and fled after realising he had hit someone. He admitted that fear kept him from going back. In a report by India Today, Dhillon claimed he did not initially know the victim was Fauja Singh and only found out through media reports later. Fauja had suffered serious head injuries and passed away at the hospital. Singh's last walk to his beloved dhaba On the day of the accident, Fauja Singh was reportedly walking to a roadside dhaba run by his family in Beas Pind — a place that meant a lot to him. The eatery was named after his fifth son, who had tragically died in an accident during its construction back in 1994. As per The Times of India, the 114-year-old would often walk the short 400-metre distance from his home to the dhaba every few days. Fauja Singh would often walk the short 400-metre distance from his home to the dhaba every few days. The eatery was named after his fifth son, who had tragically died in an accident. File image/ Reuters 'He visited us every few days, had a simple meal, and sat for tea. It was a kind of pilgrimage for him — to be near his son's photo,' said Gurdeep Singh, who helps manage the eatery. 'People would often take selfies with him. We were proud to have him here.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That day, as Singh was crossing the highway near the dhaba, the accident happened. 'He lay face down when we reached him,' said Gurpreet Singh, a local resident who rushed to help. 'We only realised it was him when we turned him over. It was devastating.' Though he was conscious and able to respond initially, his condition quickly worsened. Singh passed away later that same day. Who was Fauja Singh? Singh, popularly known as 'Turbaned Tornado', was a global icon. Born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, Punjab, he lived through some of the biggest events of modern history, including both world wars, two pandemics, and the Partition of India in 1947. In the 1990s, Singh moved to England to live with one of his sons. The death of his son Kuldeep and his wife pushed him to look for a new purpose in life, something to keep him going. 'Running gave him a new focus in life, made it worth living,' his coach and close companion Harmander Singh told The New York Times in 2010. At the age of 89, he made his marathon debut at the London Marathon in 2000. The feat drew attention globally. Over the years, he went on to participate in marathons across cities like Toronto and New York. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fauja Singh, who spent most of his marathon years in the UK, returned to his hometown around three years ago after retirement. Singh was selected as a torchbearer for both the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. He also featured in Adidas' 'Nothing Is Impossible' campaign in 2003 alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali. In 2005, then-Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf invited him to the first Lahore Marathon, and Queen Elizabeth II welcomed him to Buckingham Palace the following year. In 2013, Singh took part in the Hong Kong Marathon, where he completed the 10K run in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds. Soon after, he retired from competitive running at the age of 102, though he continued running for health and charity. The former runner, who spent most of his marathon years in the UK, returned to his hometown around three years ago after retirement. Last year, he joined Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in a walkathon aimed at raising awareness against drug abuse. With input from agencies
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Nimisha Priya case: Trouble for Kerala nurse? Yemeni family demands 'implementing God's Law in Qisas'
Nimisha Priya Case: The scheduled execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen has been postponed, offering a temporary reprieve. However, the family of her former business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, remains steadfast in their demand for the strict application of God's Law in Qisas, signalling a grave challenge for the Kerala native. Originally set for 16 July 2025, Nimisha Priya's execution was deferred following sustained diplomatic efforts from the Indian government and intervention by influential religious leaders from Kerala, including the Grand Mufti of India. Priya is currently imprisoned in a Houthi-controlled facility in Sana'a, Yemen's capital, where India lacks formal diplomatic relations. Talal Abdo Mahdi's brother, Abdel Fateh Mahdi, has made the family's position unequivocally clear. Speaking to BBC Arabic, Abdel Fateh denied claims made by Nimisha Priya regarding abuse, exploitation, or passport confiscation. Abdel Fateh emphasised that such allegations were never presented in Yemeni court and dismissed them as 'mere rumours.' The Yemeni family insists that Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya's actions—particularly the murder of Talal followed by dismembering and hiding the body—are inexcusable, regardless of any dispute. Abdel Fateh called for the enforcement of Qisas, an Islamic law principle of retaliation in kind, which in this case means the execution of Nimisha Priya. He explicitly rejected appeals for blood money (Diyah), which under Yemeni Sharia law could allow the victim's family to accept financial compensation in exchange for pardoning the convict. He stressed, 'Nothing less than this' would be acceptable, even if it means a delay in carrying out the execution. Under Yemen's Islamic legal framework, Qisas permits a murder victim's family to demand punishment equal to the crime — in capital cases, this usually means the death penalty. However, Sharia law in Yemen also allows families to forgive the accused in exchange for diyah, or blood money, which is a negotiated settlement aimed at reconciliation. Acceptance of Diyah can lead to a pardon and commute the sentence. In Nimisha Priya's case, the Yemeni victim's family's refusal to accept Diyah leaves her fate dependent on implementing the Qisas principle. Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala's Palakkad district, moved to Yemen in 2008 and later formed a business partnership with Talal Abdo Mahdi, operating a medical clinic in Sana'a. In 2017, following alleged harassment and attempts to recover her passport, Nimisha Priya reportedly sedated Talal with Ketamine to escape. The overdose led to the Yemeni national's death, and in panic, she dismembered his body, resulting in her arrest and conviction for murder. Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in 2020, with her appeal dismissed in 2023 by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council. Nimisha Priya's execution, scheduled for 16 July, has been postponed as of 15 July 2025, following last-minute talks with the victim's family. The Government of India continues to work closely with Yemeni authorities, despite limitations imposed by the political situation and lack of official ties with the Houthi administration. Religious leaders from Kerala have played a pivotal role in mediation, with prayers and dialogues contributing to the postponement. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have urged Yemen to impose a moratorium on executions and consider commutation of death sentences. With the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi firmly refusing any settlement short of execution, Nimisha Priya's fate remains uncertain. The insistence on Qisas means that without the family's forgiveness or a change in stance, the death sentence remains the law of the land.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Africa News Live Updates: Cambodia uses African giant rats for landmine detection; 6 farmers killed, dozens abducted in Nigeria
Three Kenyan soldiers were killed and several injured when their vehicle was blown up by an improvised explosive device in eastern Lamu county near the border with Somalia, the army said. The soldiers were on patrol along the road between Kiunga and Sankuri on Tuesday when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device. the AFP reported.
