…Tinubu led federal and state leaders, African dignitaries, traditional rulers to pay their final respects to late Buhari.
By: Aliyu Asabe
DAURA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times reports that the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari were laid to rest on Monday at his private residence in Daura, following an emotional funeral marked by Islamic rites, military honours, and a gathering of dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu led federal and state leaders, African dignitaries, traditional rulers, and a grieving crowd of citizens to pay their final respects to the late president, who died on Sunday in a London clinic at the age of 82.
Buhari’s body arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport aboard Nigerian Air Force Flight 5N-FGT 001 at exactly 1:50 p.m. From there, a solemn procession led to Daura, his hometown, where a massive crowd lined the streets, chanting prayers and invoking Allah’s mercy.
The funeral prayer, conducted at the PMB Helicopter Ground in Daura, was led by the Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Salisu Rabiu. Shortly after, the body was interred at his residence amid a 21-gun salute by a joint military honour guard.
Speaking at the burial, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who read the late president’s citation, described Buhari as “a fine soldier and a statesman who lived with discipline, integrity, and a profound sense of duty to Nigeria.”
Among those present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and other key members of the National Assembly.
The service also drew African leaders, including President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, and former Niger President Issoufou Mahamadou.
Security chiefs, led by General Musa, and other top brass of Nigeria’s Armed Forces and Police, including Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede (Army), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Navy), and IGP Kayode Egbetokun, joined in paying last respects.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda led the state delegation, alongside his deputy, senior government officials, and members of the State Executive Council.
The federal cabinet was represented by senior aides and ministers, including the Ministers of Information, Defence (State), Housing, Health (State), Agriculture, Budget and Economic Planning, and former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.
Governors from across the country, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Peter Mbah (Enugu), joined other state leaders at the ceremony.
Prominent business leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Sayyu Dantata, and Dahiru Mangal were also in attendance, alongside traditional rulers, including the Emirs of Katsina, Daura, and Kano.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1984 to 1985, returned to power as an elected president in 2015 and served two terms before stepping down in 2023.
His death triggered a seven-day national mourning declared by President Tinubu, with flags flown at half-mast and a public holiday observed on Monday.
The crowd in Daura – a mix of political associates, community leaders, and ordinary citizens – bore witness to the passing of a man whose life left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s political landscape.
