President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina on Tuesday.
President Tinubu arrived at 1:42 p.m. from Abuja and inspected a guard of honour before the plane conveying President Buhari’s remains landed at 1:51 p.m.
Former President Buhari passed away in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
The remains were accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, President Buhari’s wife Aisha, and other family members.
President Tinubu, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Umaru Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, formally received the casket of the late president at the foot of the aircraft.
A joint team of senior military pallbearers, comprising nine high-ranking officers, carefully placed the casket, draped with the Nigerian flag, onto a trolley.
The team was composed of Major-General Mohammed Usman, Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Major-General Shuaibu Nudu, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka, with Major General Mike Alechenu serving as the team coordinator.
President Tinubu and other prominent figures proceeded behind the casket trolley in a respectful procession.
The pallbearers accompanied the casket into a waiting military hearse for the one-hour journey to Daura, where funeral prayers and burial ceremonies would be performed.
The state funeral featured full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.
