By Headlinenews.News International Desk
London | July 13, 2025
In a solemn moment of national mourning, His Excellency Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila, have arrived in London, United Kingdom, to officially receive the body of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Friday, July 12, after a prolonged illness.
The arrival of Nigeria’s second-highest-ranking official and the President’s top aide underscores the gravity and national significance of this moment. They were received by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in London, members of the Buhari family, and select Northern elders in the diaspora.
Honouring a National Figure in Line with Faith and Tradition
Following Islamic tradition and Northern cultural protocols, Buhari’s body will be flown back to Daura, Katsina State, where he will be buried in accordance with Muslim rites, ideally within 24 hours of death.
The Presidency has already announced that the burial is scheduled for today at 4:00 PM, as dignitaries, scholars, and loyalists gather in Daura to pay final respects.
Vice President Shettima is expected to lead the official Janazah (funeral prayer) delegation upon arrival in Nigeria, accompanied by senior members of the Buhari family and religious leaders.
State Coordination and Respectful Repatriation
The process is being conducted with the full support of the British authorities, in coordination with the Presidency and Nigerian High Commission in the UK. A specially arranged presidential aircraft is on standby to carry the remains of the former leader.
“President Muhammadu Buhari was not just a former leader, he was a symbol of integrity, sacrifice, and national reform. It is our duty to return him home with honour,”
— Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking briefly before boarding.
“Today, we carry home a man who gave his all to Nigeria—his discipline, his legacy, his silence, and his strength. May Allah grant him peace,”
— Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President
A Funeral That Transcends Politics
Buhari’s death has united Nigerians across religious, political, and regional lines. As Nigeria’s first democratically re-elected President to have also ruled as a military Head of State, Buhari leaves behind a legacy of quiet resilience, structural reforms, and unwavering personal discipline.
Global reactions have poured in, with condolences from the African Union, ECOWAS, UK Government, and various Islamic institutions across the Sahel and Gulf regions.
“This is a historic transition. Buhari’s return to Daura is more than a burial—it is the closing of a profound national chapter,”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Governance & Legacy Analyst. Founder, The National Patriots.
Security and State Preparedness
Security around Daura has been intensified, with federal and state agencies collaborating to ensure a smooth and dignified state-level burial. While the late President wished for a simple Islamic burial, the federal government has arranged for full state honours in line with tradition.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, currently in Abuja, is expected to lead national tributes later today and is coordinating a day of national mourning to honour his predecessor and longtime political ally.
Final Homecoming for a Son of the North
Born on December 17, 1942, Muhammadu Buhari was a son of Daura, a soldier-statesman, and the political conscience of a generation. He governed with austerity, lived with humility, and died with faith.
اللهم اغفر له، وارحمه، وعافه، واعف عنه، وأكرم نزله، ووسع مدخله، واغسله بالماء والثلج والبرد، ونقه من الذنوب كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس.
“O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him peace, and purify him as a white cloth is purified from dirt.” Ameen.
Related Developments:
- Flags at half-mast across Nigeria until Monday, July 15
- National Islamic Council to hold special prayer sessions
- APC issues statement calling Buhari “a moral compass”
Stay with Headlinenews.news for full coverage of the funeral and national tributes. A special legacy feature, “Buhari: The Last General,” premieres tonight on our platform.
His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON and Chief Of Staff to the President Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila arrive in London to receive the body of Nigerian former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.
Headlinenews.news
Muhammadu Buhari.GCFR
[17.11. 1942 to 13.07.2025]
May Allah grant his tender soul Firdaus Al- Jannat. Ameen. A man of many parts, an icon, a legend.
A principled man who understood that lasting progress demands sacrifice, and good leadership is measured not by noise but by results.
Dr. Amiida.
Headlinenews.news
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Video: Aisha Buhari, Son, Daughter visit London Hospital where Former President Muhammadu Buhari passed away on Sunday morning.
Dr. Amiida
Headlinenews.news
