Massive Crowd Turns Out as Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Is Laid to Rest

Massive Crowd Turns Out as Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Is Laid to Rest

Thousands of mourners flooded the streets of Bauchi on Friday as Nigerians from across the country and even beyond gathered to pay their last respects to Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.

The city was awash with an outpouring of grief and respect, as followers, students, and well-wishers converged on mosques, streets and burial grounds to honour the late cleric. Security authorities deployed police and road marshals nationwide to manage traffic and maintain order amid the large turnout.

Among the dignitaries were high-profile government and traditional leaders. Kashim Shettima (Vice President), Nuhu Ribadu (National Security Adviser), and several federal ministers and senators attended. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also present, as were governors and traditional rulers from various states.

The funeral prayer (janaza) was held at the Kofar Gombe Eid Prayer Ground in Bauchi around the evening hours. The prayer was led by the country’s Grand Imam, in line with the written will of the deceased.

After the prayer, Sheikh Usman Bauchi’s body was conveyed to his residence and finally interred later that night — a solemn end to a life of deep religious influence and moral guidance.

Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi passed away earlier this week at the age of 98. He had spent decades as one of Nigeria’s most respected Islamic scholars and was the supreme leader of the Tijjaniyya Sufi order in Nigeria.

His teachings rooted in moral discipline, unity, peaceful coexistence, and Qur’anic education touched countless lives. Many of those at the funeral said they felt compelled to travel from distant states and even from neighbouring countries, in honour of a man they described as a spiritual father, mentor, and beacon of hope.

The large turnout and the presence of dignitaries underscore the profound impact he had on religious life, education, and social unity across Nigeria and beyond.

The burial of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi was more than a funeral. it was a nationwide moment of mourning, reverence, and reflection on a legacy of faith, knowledge, and moral leadership. The massive crowd that came, despite the distances, speaks volumes about the depth of respect he commanded.

As Nigeria and the broader Muslim community bid farewell to a towering spiritual figure, many are calling on followers to honour his legacy by embracing the values he stood for: unity, peace, humility, and devotion to God.