Security on high alert as Nigeria prepares to bury Buhari

eNCA

2 days ago

ABUJA - 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.
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.
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.
abu/nro/sbk