The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari departed London on Tuesday morning aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, beginning the final journey to his hometown of Daura in Katsina State where he will be laid to rest later today.
Garba Shehu, the late president’s spokesperson, confirmed to journalists that the body left London at 7:48 am and is expected to arrive in Katsina after a seven-hour flight. Burial preparations are already underway at Buhari’s private residence in Daura, where a grave is being prepared for his interment.
“The body left London by 7:48 am and it is expected after 7 hours. The graveyard is being dug,” Shehu told reporters on Tuesday, providing an update on the logistics surrounding the former president’s final journey home.
The 82-year-old former leader died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a London hospital after battling a prolonged illness that had kept him away from the public eye in recent weeks. His death marked the end of a remarkable political career spanning several decades.
The Federal Government has announced full state burial honours for the two-time Nigerian leader, who served both as military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. The state funeral reflects the nation’s recognition of his significant contributions to Nigeria’s political development.
In a departure from tradition, Buhari’s interment will take place at his personal residence in Daura, rather than at public cemeteries or government-assigned sites where past Nigerian leaders have been buried. This arrangement honors the former president’s wish to be laid to rest in his ancestral home.
Security has been significantly tightened across Katsina State in preparation for the burial ceremony, with law enforcement agencies working to ensure the safety of the numerous dignitaries expected to attend. Top federal officials, political leaders, and military personnel are anticipated to converge on the ancient city of Daura for the solemn occasion.
The repatriation of Buhari’s remains was coordinated by a high-level delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, who traveled to London on President Bola Tinubu’s orders to accompany the former president’s body back to Nigeria.
The funeral arrangements reflect both Islamic burial traditions and the protocol befitting a former head of state. The ceremony in Daura is expected to draw thousands of mourners, including family members, political associates, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens who wish to pay their final respects.
As Nigeria prepares to bid farewell to one of its most prominent political figures, the nation continues to observe the seven-day mourning period declared by President Tinubu, with flags flying at half-staff across government buildings and installations.
The arrival of Buhari’s remains marks the culmination of a carefully orchestrated process that began with his death on Sunday and involved coordination between Nigerian authorities, diplomatic missions, and international partners to ensure his dignified return home for burial according to his wishes and Islamic rites.
