The family of late former President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that the fencing and new look of his grave in Daura, Katsina State, were done strictly for security reasons and in line with Islamic dictates.
Reacting to viral photos and videos showing the transformation of Buhari’s resting place weeks after his burial, a family member, Alhaji Hamisu Haro, who oversees the day-to-day affairs of the former president’s residence, clarified the decision.
According to Haro, the fencing was necessary to control access to the grave and ensure visitors offered prayers respectfully from outside the enclosure.
“Considering the time we are in, we felt there is a need to fence the graveyard to keep it secure, so that whosoever comes to visit would stay out there and offer their prayers, just like what people saw during Governor Radda’s visit recently,” he explained.
Haro further revealed that some admirers had previously laid flowers at the grave, an act deemed contrary to Islamic teachings. “We had to remove those flowers because it is a practice that contradicts Islamic teachings. That is why we thought of fencing the whole area, so that no one will access it without our knowledge,” he added.
The development sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some Nigerians argued that Buhari’s status as a former president justified the upgraded graveyard, others criticized it as inconsistent with Islamic burial practices.
Buhari, Nigeria’s former Head of State and two-term civilian President, passed away on July 13, 2025, at a London clinic. His death drew widespread mourning across the country.
New photos of the fenced grave were recently shared online by his former aide on Digital Communications, Ahmad Bashir.
