Muhammadu Buhari was a patriot and soldier who was deeply committed to his country's progress, the African nation's current leader has said

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died after a prolonged illness, the country's authorities have reported. The ex-military general led Africa's most populous nation from 1984 to 1985 following a coup, and was later elected to two terms, serving from 2015 to 2023.

The 82-year old died at a clinic in London on Sunday afternoon, his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said in a post on X.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he received news of his predecessor's death with "profound sorrow and a heavy heart," and extended condolences to Buhari's widow and family.

"Buhari was, to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman," Tinubu said in a statement, praising the late president's "unwavering dedication" and "deep commitment to the unity and progress" of Nigeria.

"He stood firm through the most turbulent times... He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn," Tinubu said.

In a separate statement, the Nigerian head of state said Vice President Kashim Shettima has been directed to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany Buhari's body back to the West African country for a state burial.

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Buhari first seized power in a military coup on December 31, 1983, overthrowing then-President Shehu Shagari. He launched a campaign to restore discipline and tackle corruption, but his 20-month rule drew widespread criticism for alleged human rights abuses. A failed attempt by agents linked to his regime to abduct exiled minister Umaru Dikko in London strained diplomatic relations with the UK.

In 1985, Buhari was removed from office in a coup, and later rebranded himself as a "reformed democrat." He lost three presidential elections before defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 - the first time an opposition candidate unseated a sitting president in Nigeria's history.

While his early anti-corruption drive earned praise, Buhari's administration was soon plagued by escalating insecurity and deepening economic hardship. His handling of the 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality drew international condemnation, after security forces were accused of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.