President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria, following the elder statesman’s death this afternoon in London.

The solemn directive was announced in a State House press release issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, President Buhari died in a London clinic at about 4:30 p.m., after a prolonged illness.

President Tinubu, who described Buhari’s passing as a national loss, has already spoken with his widow, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, offering her his deepest 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,” the statement read.

As a mark of respect for the late leader, President Tinubu has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff across the country.

Muhammadu Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, was also the country’s military Head of State between 1984 and 1985, marking him as one of the few leaders in Nigeria’s history to have ruled in both military and civilian capacities.

Further details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be released in the coming days.