Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, amid tears, military honours, and heartfelt tributes from dignitaries and citizens alike.
The burial, which took place within the family compound, followed solemn Islamic rites led by the Chief Imam of Daura. Burial prayers were concluded at exactly 4:56 p.m., with Buhari’s body lowered into the grave around 6:00 p.m., according to The Nation.
Buhari’s final journey home
The late president’s remains arrived at Katsina airport at about 2:07 p.m., shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu landed. The body was accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and members of Buhari’s family.
His casket, draped in Nigeria’s iconic green and white flag, was carried by a joint team of nine senior military officers, including:
- Major-General Mohammed Usman
- Major-General Oluwafemi Williams
- Major-General Shuaibu Nuhu
- Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun
- Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo
- Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa
- Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola
- Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni
- Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka
The pallbearers, coordinated by Major General Mike Alechenu, marched solemnly to the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”, past a full military guard of honour of 96 soldiers and six officers.
A military hearse then conveyed the former president’s casket to Daura for funeral prayers and burial. The state funeral featured full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.
World leaders and dignitaries pay last respects
President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai joined in the procession.
Other high-profile mourners included:
- President Umaru Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau
- Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine
- Former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou
- Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
- Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin
- Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk, and Emir of Katsina, Abdilmuminu Kabir
- Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan
- Former Minister Ali Pantami
- Former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi
- Former Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun
- Former Borno Governor and ex-PDP Chairman Ali Modu Sheriff
- Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello
- Former Sokoto Governors Aliyu Wammako and Aminu Tambuwal
- Former Katsina Governor Aminu Masari
- Former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi
- Former Plateau Deputy Governor and ex-Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen
A day of national mourning
The Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London clinic after a prolonged illness on Sunday, July 13.
Buhari, who ruled as a military head of state from 1983–1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015–2023, was remembered for his efforts to fight corruption and for his austere, disciplined lifestyle.
The former president’s burial was marked by an outpouring of grief, reflection, and tributes to his controversial yet impactful legacy in Nigeria’s political history.
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