By Ghazali Ibrahim
The body of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, ahead of his final interment in accordance with Islamic rites.
The late leader, who died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, was brought home aboard a Nigerian Air Force plane that touched down at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina at 1:51 p.m., where it was received by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other dignitaries.
The President had arrived from Abuja at 1:42 p.m., inspecting a guard of honour before welcoming the remains of his predecessor. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, former President of Niger Issoufou Mahamadou, Prime Minister of Niger Ali Lamine Zeine, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were also present.
A joint team of military pallbearers made up of nine senior officers, led by Major General Mike Alechenu, wheeled the casket draped with the Nigerian flag through a full military guard of honour while the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” played in the background.
The event included a 21-gun salute in tribute to the late president.
Buhari’s widow, Aisha Buhari, and close family members accompanied the body on the return journey from the United Kingdom.
The casket was then transferred into a military hearse for the one-hour journey to Daura, his hometown.
Upon arrival in Daura, the body was taken to his private residence where funeral prayers were held, led by the Chief Imam of Katsina State, in line with Islamic burial customs.
A large crowd of mourners, dignitaries, and locals gathered to pay their last respects to the man who served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1983 to 1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
Buhari’s burial marks the close of an era in Nigerian political history, with many hailing his legacy of integrity, nationalism, and personal discipline.
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday in his honour as the nation continues a seven-day mourning period with flags flying at half-mast nationwide.
