The remains of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, have departed London, United Kingdom, and are en route to Daura, Katsina State, for interment, following his death on Sunday at the age of 82.
According to official sources, the body was airlifted on Tuesday morning aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, with a high-powered federal government delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima accompanying the late leader’s remains.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to personally receive the body in Katsina. A brief military ceremony will be held at the airport before the remains are moved to Daura for Islamic funeral rites and final burial at his residence.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that 25 Federal Executive Council members will also be present at the burial and will remain in Daura for the Third-Day prayers scheduled for Wednesday.
In honour of the late president, condolence registers have been opened at all Federal Ministries, embassies, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. An Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, is coordinating the burial arrangements in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family.
The passing of Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State between 1983 and 1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, has continued to draw tributes from world leaders and citizens alike.