- Safiu Kehinde
The late former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has finally been laid to rest at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.
NPO Reported the passing of Buhari who died on Sunday at a London hospital after prolonged illness.
The former President was lowered into his grave at exactly at 5:50pm.
In the wake of his death, President Bola Tinubu had directed his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and some selected delegates to accompany the body of the former President back to Nigeria.
Buhari’s remains arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua at exactly 1:59pm and was received by Tinubu before the military procession which saw the body ushered into a waiting ambulance for the trip to his final resting place at his hometown in Daura.
Also arriving at the airport were family members of the late Nigerian President with an aggrieved former first lady, Aisha Buhari spotted amongst the crowd.
Aisha Buhari, who alongside her children were cladded in black, was accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
As against initial reports that the body of the late ex-President will be conveyed in cargo, Buhari’s body arrived in the Presidential jet also conveying his family and the delegates led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Following the body’s arrival at Daura, a brief prayer session was held at a makeshift prayer ground before the final interment of the later former Nigerian President.
On arrival of the body at the grave site in his residence, a 21-gun salute was rendered by the military in honour of the late former President.
The Chief of Defense Staff, Christopher Musa, would proceed to read a citation of Buhari who also served as a Military Head of state from 1983 to 1985.
Following the citation, the Nigerian flag draped on the body was removed before being lowered to the ground and covered with sand.
Buhari’s burial ceremony attracted several Nigerian dignitaries and international leaders who came to pay their last respect to late former President.
Arriving earlier at the venue were Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ogun state counterpart, Dapo Abiodun as well as Nigerian businessman, Aliko Dangote.
Also present at the funeral of Buhari was his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and other members of the late ex-President’s administration.
Others include the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, and former Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun.
Also present was the Prime Minister of the Niger Republic, Ali Zeine, and the Nigerien delegates.