The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari have arrived in Katsina, Nigeria, following his death in London on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 82.
The body landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport, Katsina, at exactly 1:59 pm on Monday, accompanied by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Buhari will be buried in his hometown, Daura, according to Islamic rites.
President Tinubu, who announced the death of his predecessor, directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the former president.
Delegations from the Republic of Niger, as well as governors and dignitaries including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, former information minister Lai Mohammed, and business mogul Aliko Dangote, have arrived Daura to pay their last respects.
A presidency official confirmed that President Tinubu has personally spoken with Buhari’s widow, Aisha Buhari, expressing condolences on behalf of the nation.
Buhari, a retired major general, first came to power as Nigeria’s military head of state from January 1984 to August 1985, following a coup. Decades later, he returned as a democratically elected president and served two terms between 2015 and 2023 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former president died peacefully at about 4:30 pm at a private medical facility in London.
The All Progressives Congress has described Buhari’s death as a monumental loss and paid tribute to his legacy of discipline, anti-corruption advocacy, and public service.
Funeral prayers and final internment are expected to take place later today in Daura.