Buhari’s remains arrive in Katsina from London for burial

A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari 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, where Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82, following a prolonged illness.

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.

Nigeria is observing a seven-day national mourning period, declared by President Tinubu, with Tuesday, July 15, designated a public holiday to honor Buhari’s legacy.

National flags are flying at half-mast across the country, and condolence registers have been opened at federal institutions and Nigerian embassies worldwide.