The Kaduna residence of Nigeria’s former President, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) wore a solemn and deserted look on Sunday following news of his death in London.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president between 2015 and 2023 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, died at about 4:30 pm in a London clinic, according to a statement issued by his former spokesman, Garba Shehu.
When our correspondent visited the former president’s home located on Sultan Lane, along Sultan Road in Kaduna, there were no signs of mourning sympathisers trooping in or out of the premises.
The usually quiet street remained subdued, save for the presence of security operatives.
Two military trucks were stationed in front of the house at the time of filing this report. Armed personnel on guard duty politely turned away journalists who had thronged the area, directing them to move further down the main Sultan Road.
Efforts by reporters to catch a glimpse of any family member were futile, as the heavy security presence kept all non-residents at bay.
The late Buhari’s Kaduna residence is located in a neighbourhood known for its association with Nigeria’s political elite.
Among his neighbours are the family of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, former Chief of Staff, Supreme Military Council, and former Minister of Finance and Labour Party chieftain, Nenadi Usman.
General Buhari’s political journey remains remarkable. He was first Nigeria’s military Head of State between January 1984 and August 1985 following a coup d’état.
Decades later, after several unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, he was elected as Nigeria’s democratic president in 2015 and re-elected for a second term in 2019. He handed over power in 2023. (Punch)
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