Buhari’s body leaves London aboard a Nigerian Air Force jet, set for state burial in Daura as Tinubu, Shettima, and FG honour the late former president
Buhari’s body leaves London aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, heading to Daura, Katsina State, for a state burial following the former president’s passing on Sunday in the United Kingdom.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading a high-level Federal Government delegation to oversee final documentation and logistics for the repatriation.
According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the aircraft is expected to arrive in Katsina by noon on Tuesday.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will personally receive the remains of the former President in Katsina,” Idris announced during a press briefing in Abuja.
He further revealed that a brief military ceremony would be held at the airport, after which the body would be transported to Daura.
There, the traditional Jana’iza (Islamic funeral prayer) will be conducted before Buhari is laid to rest in the courtyard of his residence.
This final journey brings to a close a life of military and democratic service that defined Nigeria’s contemporary political history.
The government declared a national mourning period and directed that condolence registers be opened at all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Nigerian missions and embassies around the world.
A central register has also been placed at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Idris emphasised that Buhari’s life is not just as that of a former leader, but as a global statesman whose legacy has prompted messages of condolence from world leaders.
“The condolences coming in from Heads of State and Governments across the globe are a testament to the global stature and legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
To ensure a well-organised and respectful series of events, President Tinubu has approved the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee.
The committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will personally receive the remains of the former President in Katsina.
It will work closely with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family to manage the transition events.
The committee’s mandate includes coordination of the state burial ceremony, logistics for attending dignitaries, and oversight of national mourning activities.
Idris also confirmed that 25 members of the Federal Executive Council have been deployed to Katsina to attend both the funeral and the Third-Day prayers scheduled for Wednesday.
Vice President Shettima, who has been at the forefront of coordination efforts, had earlier announced that the former president died after a brief illness.
The cause of death has not been disclosed, in keeping with the Buhari family’s request for privacy.
Local arrangements in Daura are already in high gear, with mourners gathering at the family residence and final preparations underway for the reception of the late president’s remains.
The Nigerian military and police have deployed personnel to ensure order and security around the burial venue.
As Buhari’s body leaves London, Nigeria reflects on the life of a man who served twice as Head of State — first as a military ruler from 1984 to 1985 and then as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
Known for his austere leadership, anti-corruption crusade, and nationalistic vision, Buhari’s impact continues to stir both tributes and debate across political lines.
The burial will be attended by family members, traditional rulers, top government officials, and foreign envoys.
Also read: Nigeria to Observe Buhari’s National Mourning Holiday with Solemn Tributes
The late president’s interment in Daura, his hometown in northern Nigeria, closes the chapter on one of the country’s most recognisable political figures.
