President Bola Tinubu, Guinea-Bissau President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and Niger Republic Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, joined thousands of mourners in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday for the funeral rites of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday at the age of 82 in a London hospital.
The late president’s remains arrived at Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport in Katsina around 2 p.m., aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight FGT 001, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
President Tinubu, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and other top officials were on the ground to receive the casket at the tarmac.
A farewell military parade was held in honour of the former Commander-in-Chief before his body was conveyed by road to Daura for burial.
The Islamic funeral prayer (Salatul Janazah) was held at 4 p.m. at the Daura Helipad, led by Imam Hassan Yusuf. Among those who participated were former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and a host of serving and former public office holders.
Also in attendance were Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk Umar; Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman; Emir of Zazzau, Emir of Dutse, and Emir of Kazaure.
Captains of industry, including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and aviation mogul, Dahiru Barau Mangal, were also present to pay their last respects.
Several members of the National Assembly, along with ministers, commissioners, and party officials from across the political spectrum, filled the funeral venue, which later had to open its gates to accommodate thousands of ordinary citizens who wished to participate in the final farewell.
Following the prayers, Buhari’s body was moved to his Daura residence, where he was buried in line with Islamic rites. The ceremony was marked by solemnity and reflection.