Nigeria, Nov. 5 -- Abdullahi Mohammed, a former Chief of Staff to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar'Adua, has passed away at the age of 86.

Mr Mohammed, an indigene of Kwara State, died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja.

A family memeber, Abdulkareem Durosinlorun, confirmed Mr Mohammed's demise to PREMIUM TIMES.

"He died some minutes after 12 am on Wednesday," he said by phone. "The funeral prayers will be held at 1 pm at Ansarudeen mosque in Abuja."

Mr Durosinlorun added that the former army officer would be buried at the military cemetery in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed, a retired major general, played a key role in a 1975 cup that ousted Yakubu Gowon and brought Murtala Mohammed to power.

He was a military governor for Benu...