Thousands of mourners gathered across Gombe State on Tuesday to offer special funeral prayers for Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London at the age of 83.
The prayers, known as Salat al-Gha’ib (funeral prayer in absentia), were held at mosques and open spaces throughout the state, with the largest turnout recorded outside the Pantami Township Stadium. Clerics and residents prayed for divine mercy upon Buhari’s soul and for his admission into Jannatul Firdaus.
Leading the prayers, Sheikh Usman Bello described the late president as “a leader whose discipline and service left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s history.”
“We are here to seek Allah’s mercy for our former president. He served this country with dedication. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him the highest level of paradise,” said Sheikh Bello.
Many Gombe residents described Buhari’s death as a deeply personal loss, despite the former leader passing away outside Nigeria.
“He may have died in London, but we in Gombe feel the pain. He was a father figure to many of us,” said Ibrahim Adamu, a local trader who attended the prayers with his children.
Fatima Yakubu, a student of Federal University Kashere, reflected on Buhari’s legacy among Nigeria’s youth.
“He stood for discipline and integrity. Whether or not you agreed with all his policies, his influence on the national stage was undeniable. We pray Allah accepts him and comforts his family,” she said.
Our correspondent observed that the prayer sessions were solemn and conducted peacefully, reflecting the deep respect many in the state hold for the late president, whose leadership was marked by a focus on anti-corruption and national discipline.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985 under a military regime, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. Throughout his political career, he remained a polarising yet prominent figure in the nation’s history.
