The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari have arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State amid heavy security and emotional scenes.
The late Nigerian leader, who passed away on Sunday in a UK clinic at the age of 82, is set to be buried later today in his hometown of Daura, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying the remains of former President landed at Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport in Katsina at 1:53 p.m. WAT on Tuesday, marking the start of a solemn farewell for one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, accompanied by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, escorted the body from London.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who arrived at the airport at 1:45 p.m., led a high-level federal delegation to receive the remains.
The delegation included 25 members of the Federal Executive Council, former heads of state, and Katsina State officials, including Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
A brief but poignant military ceremony was held on the tarmac, with full honours rendered to the late president, who served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1983 to 1985 and as its democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
Also present to receive the former president was Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who arrived earlier in the day, clad in black.
A somber mood enveloped the tarmac as military officers gave a brief ceremonial salute before the convoy departed for Daura, where final burial preparations are underway
