Dignitaries, former leaders, and political heavyweights gathered in Katsina State on Tuesday for the final burial rites of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in a London hospital.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina at 1:48 p.m. to personally receive the late president’s remains, which were flown in aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft from the United Kingdom. A brief military ceremony was held at the airport before the body was moved to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, for Jana’iza (funeral prayers) and interment.

Earlier in the day, the Daura residence of the late president witnessed tight security as preparations intensified for the burial. A grave was dug within a section of the compound, specifically in the garden adjacent to the main building. Access to the area was strictly controlled, with personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stationed at key points.

Among the early dignitaries who arrived to pay their final respects were former Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President Ahmad Lawan; and ex-Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Also present were several former governors including Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), and Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno). Others in attendance included billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote; former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; and former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen.

Security was heightened across Katsina and Daura, with traffic diversions, crowd control measures, and surveillance operations in full force. The Katsina State Police Command and NSCDC deployed thousands of operatives to maintain order and ensure the safety of attendees. Strategic locations such as the airport, Daura palace, and other sensitive areas were secured by both covert and overt security personnel.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said on Monday that President Tinubu had directed the opening of condolence registers in all federal ministries, departments, agencies, and Nigerian missions abroad. Another register was opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

He also announced that an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was set up to coordinate a dignified and well-organised burial, in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family.

As part of the arrangements, 25 members of the Federal Executive Council were directed to attend the burial and stay in Daura for the Third-Day prayers scheduled for Wednesday.