The remains of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, have left the United Kingdom and are en route to Daura, Katsina State, for final burial rites.
The body was airlifted on Tuesday morning aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading a high-level federal government delegation to oversee documentation and ensure the smooth repatriation of the late president’s body.
Speaking during 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 in Katsina.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will be present in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President. A short military ceremony will be held at the airport before the body is moved to Daura,” Idris stated.
According to the minister, the Jana’iza (Islamic funeral prayer) will be conducted shortly after the arrival, followed by Buhari’s interment at his residence in Daura.
Idris added that condolence registers have been opened across all federal ministries, departments, agencies, and Nigerian diplomatic missions worldwide, in line with the President’s directive. A register is also available at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
“The volume of condolence messages coming in from world leaders reflects the international respect President Buhari commanded,” Idris said.
To ensure a seamless funeral process, President Tinubu has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The committee will coordinate with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family to manage all burial arrangements.
Twenty-five members of the Federal Executive Council have also been directed to travel to Katsina for the funeral and remain in Daura for the third-day Islamic prayer scheduled for Wednesday.
The government has declared Tuesday, July 15, as a public holiday to honor the former leader, who passed away in a London hospital on Sunday.
