Former President Muhammadu Buhari has been buried in the compound premises of his private residence in Daura, Katsina State.

He was buried at about 5:30 pm on Tuesday, under the shade of trees where he usually sat to unwind and interact with friends and associates.

Immediately after the burial, security operatives fired 21 gun salutes at the entrance of his private residence.

Three shots were fired at exactly 5.33 pm, another three some two minutes later, until the entire shots were completed.

The security operatives, dressed in green and red attire, had earlier held a brief parade in honour of the late president.

The former president’s body arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, aboard Nigerian Air Force Flight 5N-FGT 001 at approximately 2:00 p.m.

President Bola Tinubu, alongside Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, his Deputy, Faruk Lawal, among other prominent personalities, received the body at the airport.

Buhari’s remains were accompanied from the United Kingdom by Vice President Kashim Shettima; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

Also onboard were Buhari’s nephew, Mallam Mamman Daura, family members, senior aides, and other high-ranking dignitaries.

At the airport to receive the body, along with President Tinubu, were President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger Republic Ali Lamine Zeine, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou.

Also present were National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Nigeria’s service chiefs; and several Nigerian governors, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).

Others are Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Bassey Edet Otu (Cross River), Business mogul Aliko Dangote, Sayyu Dantatata, and Dahiru Mangal.

Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, members of the State Executive Council, senior civil servants, and political stakeholders were also in attendance.
In a symbolic moment, First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received the First Lady of the late President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, upon arrival in the state.
Top government officials, traditional leaders, and ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwarts gathered to pay their last respects, describing Buhari’s passing as the end of an era in Nigeria’s political and moral landscape.

Upon arrival in Daura, about an hour’s drive from Katsina, his body was briefly laid in state for friends, family members, and other relevant persons to say their final goodbyes.

A prominent Imam, Ustaz Hassan Yusuf, led other prominent personalities in the funeral prayer that marked part of the burial rites.

The funeral prayer, which also lasted a few minutes, was completed at exactly 4:56 pm at the heli-pad site where helicopters that ferry him when he comes to town touch down.

Before the burial, hundreds of residents held funeral prayers for the late president, with some of them shedding tears while supplicating for the repose of his soul.

Thousands gathered at the former president’s private residence, and the road leading to the house, with many of them talking in low tones about the life and times of the late president.

Security was tight around the late former president’s home and within Daura town. A similar security presence was observed at the state’s international airport and within the state’s metropolitan area.

Some Daura residents, who spoke with The Guardian, described Buhari as a humble, honest, and simple person who always had the love of Nigeria at heart.
They said Daura will never be the sme again without him, even as they prayed for the repose of his soul, and fortitude to bear the loss, for his family members.
Emir of Daura, Alh Farouk Umar, said the state and Nigeria at large had lost a great man. He said what Buhari did for Daura and Nigeria may not be replicated in a thousand years to come, adding that the former president would surely be missed.