Body of Former President Muhammadu Buhari Departs London for Final Resting Place in Katsina
The remains of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari departed London on Tuesday morning en route to his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, where he will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
The late president’s body was flown aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, accompanied by high-ranking government officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other dignitaries.
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to President Buhari, confirmed the development in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the body is expected to arrive in Katsina at 12:00 noon. The funeral prayers and burial are scheduled to take place by 2:00 p.m. in Daura, his ancestral home.
President Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. in a London hospital after battling a prolonged illness.
While the exact nature of his ailment has not been disclosed, government sources described it as a “long and complicated health struggle.”
In honour of the late statesman, the Federal Government declared Tuesday, July 15, a national public holiday to allow Nigerians to mourn and participate in the state burial activities.
The solemn occasion is expected to draw dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, reflecting Buhari’s enduring influence on the nation’s political landscape.
Born in Daura in Nigeria’s North-West region, Muhammadu Buhari rose to prominence as a military ruler in 1984 following a coup.
He later transitioned to democratic leadership and served two terms as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023, earning mixed reactions for his tough stance on corruption, economic reforms, and national security.
Plans for the repatriation of his body had earlier been delayed. Originally scheduled to arrive on Monday, July 14, the flight was postponed due to undisclosed logistical issues, prompting adjustments to the funeral timeline. Bashir Ahmad confirmed the updated itinerary late Monday night.
“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.
The state burial will mark the final chapter in the life of a man who, for decades, remained a central figure in Nigeria’s military and democratic evolution.
Nigerians across the country continue to pay tribute, with many describing Buhari as a disciplined leader with a deep sense of patriotism and a complex legacy that will be debated for generations to come.
