The remains of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday morning departed London for Daura, Katsina State, ahead of his state burial.
The late president’s body was flown aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials.
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to Buhari, confirmed this on Tuesday morning via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at about 4:30 pm in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. However, details of the illness were not made public.
In honour of the former leader, the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a public holiday to allow for the state burial ceremony in his hometown of Daura, a quiet agrarian community in Katsina State.
Buhari, admired in some quarters for his signature upright posture, hailed from Daura in Nigeria’s North-West region. He previously served as Nigeria’s military head of state from January 1984 until August 1985.
The Nigerian government had also declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a public holiday in honour of the late Buhari.
Ahmad confirmed on Monday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle that the late President’s body is now expected to arrive in Katsina at noon on Tuesday, with burial rites scheduled for 2pm in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
“The body of the late President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to arrive in Katsina at 12:00 noon tomorrow, with funeral according to Islamic rites scheduled to take place in his hometown of Daura by 2:00 PM on the same day,” Ahmad wrote.
