Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was honored with a state burial in his hometown of Daura on Tuesday, as the nation mourned the loss of one of its most prominent leaders.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, died Monday at the age of 82 after a brief illness, according to an official statement from his family.

His passing prompted an outpouring of grief across the country, with citizens and leaders alike remembering his decades of public service.

The funeral service, held at the Daura Central Mosque, was attended by President Bola Tinubu, state governors, foreign ambassadors, and a crowd of local residents. Islamic prayers were recited before Buhari’s body was taken to his family’s ancestral home for burial.

Tinubu, in a televised address, called Buhari “a steadfast leader who prioritized the nation’s unity and security.” He announced a week of national mourning, with flags to be flown at half-staff and all official engagements suspended.

Buhari’s political career spanned both military and civilian rule.

After first leading Nigeria as a military head of state in the 1980s, he later won the presidency in democratic elections, becoming the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent in Nigeria’s history.

In Daura, residents described Buhari as a humble man who never forgot his roots. “He always returned home, no matter how high he rose,” said Fatima Abubakar, a local teacher. “He was our pride.”

International tributes highlighted Buhari’s role in regional diplomacy and his commitment to combating terrorism. Messages of condolence were sent by the African Union, the United Nations, and leaders from neighboring countries.

Buhari is survived by his wife, Aisha, and their children.