Barely two hours after the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari was formally announced, President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.

The ex-president, who had battled a prolonged illness, died in London at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the age of 81.

The directive came shortly after Buhari’s former Special Adviser, Garba Shehu, confirmed the news of his passing in a statement.

In a separate release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu confirmed the death of his predecessor and revealed that he has conversed with Buhari’s wife, Mrs Aishat Buhari, while expressing condolence.

The statement further disclosed that President Tinubu has directed national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the late leader.

Buhari was twice elected as Nigeria’s president, serving from 2015 to 2023.

He had also previously ruled the country as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.