The body of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, will be flown back to Nigeria for burial in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, who visited Buhari’s family in London, confirmed the arrangements upon his return to Nigeria. “The corpse will arrive by 12pm tomorrow [Tuesday], and the burial is scheduled for 2pm,” Radda said, adding that the ceremony was delayed from Monday to allow more people to attend.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is currently in London, will accompany Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria. He also confirmed via a social media post that the late leader would be laid to rest in Daura.
Buhari, who had battled health challenges for several years, passed away following a brief illness, though no further medical details were disclosed.
Despite his status as a former head of state, Buhari will not receive a state funeral. Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa told the BBC that, in accordance with Islamic tradition, the burial will be simple and held as soon as possible.
Mourners have already gathered at Buhari’s Daura residence as preparations continue for his final rites.
Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria and beyond. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom Buhari defeated in the historic 2015 election, described him as “selfless in his commitment to duty” and praised his “deep sense of patriotism.”
General Ibrahim Babangida, who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, called him “a moral compass to many” and “an example of modesty in public life.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a seven-day national mourning period. In a statement released Sunday, Tin
