The body of former Nigeria President Muhammadu Bukhari, who died at 82 years old at a London clinic on Sunday, flew home to be buried in his hometown in Kacina.
Cacina Governor Dico Rada, who is in the British capital with the Bukhari family, said he would be buried later on Monday in the town of Daura, 50 miles (80 km) from the city of Kacina.
Nigeria Vice President Kashim Shetima is also in London and will accompany Bukhari's remains back to Nigeria.
“I just left his family to the hospital where he died and the decision is that his remains will be taken to Daura for a funeral. The plan is to leave in the morning,” Radda told DW Hausa.
The Vice President also confirmed that Daura was the last place to vacation for Bukhari in a social media publication after arriving in London.
He said Bukhari died after a short illness without revealing further details.
In accordance with Islamic teachings, Bukhari is expected to be buried as quickly as possible at an ordinary ceremony, Islamic clergyman Abdullahi Garagamava told the BBC.
“The only thing that has to stop Bukhari's corpse from being buried today (Monday) is if his body arrives (in) Daura at night, because Islam frowned at the burials of the night. In this case, Tuesday morning he will be fine,” the priest added.
The stands continue to pour themselves for the late army general who was one of only two people who led Nigeria twice (both as a military and civilian president) in their history after independence.
Former President Gudluk Jonathan, defeated by the 2015 elections, describes the late leader as a person who “was selfless in his commitment to his duty and serves the country with a character and deep sense of patriotism.”
Former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, removed by Bukhari in a 1985 coup, also boasted of Octogenaria.
“He is a man who even retires remains a moral compass for many and an example of modesty in public life,” Babangida noted.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to attend the funeral prayer in the city of Daura, announced a seven -day national mourning period in honor of his predecessor.
In an official statement of condolence, published on Sunday night, Tinubu said that the nation would give its final respect to the former leader with dignity and honor, beginning with the decrease of all national flags to the half-mitch across the country from Sunday.