Buhari’s remains depart London for Daura as Tinubu, Shettima lead state burial preparations

The body of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in a London hospital, has departed the United Kingdom aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and is expected to arrive in Katsina State by noon on Tuesday for a full state burial in his hometown, Daura.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading a high-powered Federal Government delegation to oversee documentation and logistical arrangements for the repatriation of the late president’s remains.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will personally receive Buhari’s remains at the Katsina Airport, where a brief military ceremony will be held before the procession moves to Daura for funeral prayers (Jana’iza) and interment at the late president’s residence.

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“In honour of President Buhari’s immense contributions to Nigeria, President Tinubu has directed the opening of national condolence registers in all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as at Nigerian embassies and missions worldwide,” Idris stated. A central register will also be available at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Idris revealed that an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has been constituted to ensure a dignified and well-coordinated funeral programme. The committee is working closely with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family.

Additionally, 25 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have been directed to travel to Katsina to attend the burial rites and remain in Daura for the Third-Day Fidau prayers scheduled for Wednesday.

Tributes continue to pour in from around the world. Idris noted that messages from Heads of State and Governments highlight Buhari’s global influence and statesmanship during his lifetime.

The solemn events in Katsina and Daura will mark the conclusion of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political history, as the nation bids farewell to a two-term president and a former military ruler.