The remains of Nigeria’s former President and elder statesman, Muhammadu Buhari, have arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina, aboard Nigerian Air Force Flight 5N-FGT 001 at approximately 2:00 PM today, ahead of his final burial rites.
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CFR, alongside Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, and his Deputy, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, received the body of the late President, who passed away in England after a brief illness following a lifetime of distinguished public service.
Accompanying the remains from the United Kingdom were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. Also onboard were Buhari’s nephew, Mallam Mamman Daura, family members, senior aides, and other high-ranking dignitaries.
At the airport to receive the body along with President Tinubu were Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger Republic Ali Lamine Zeine, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou. Also present were National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Nigeria’s service chiefs; and several Nigerian governors, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Bassey Edet Otu (Cross River), Business mogul Aliko Dangote, Sayyu Dantatata, Dahiru Mangal.
Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; Seyi Tinubu, members of the State Executive Council; senior civil servants; and political stakeholders were also in attendance.
In a symbolic moment, First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received the First Lady of the late President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, upon arrival in Katsina.
Following the solemn, the funeral convoy proceeded to Daura, hometown of the late President, where he will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Top government officials, traditional leaders, and APC stalwarts gathered to pay their last respects, describing Buhari’s passing as the end of an era in Nigeria’s political and moral landscape.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
15th July 2025
