• We were admitted in same hospital, Abubakar pays tribute
• Shettima visits bereaved family in London, receives Jonathan, Akufo-Addo, others

Heavy security presence was observed in Daura and other parts of Katsina State ahead of the arrival of the body of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari passed on Sunday at the age of 82 and is scheduled to be buried today in his Daura residence.

Also, former Military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has recounted his last encounter with Buhari, as they were admitted in the same London hospital before his death.

On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to the Buhari family in London, where he received personalities such as former president Goodluck Jonathan, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, among others, who arrived at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner yesterday.

In Katsina, security operatives have been stationed at strategic points, including the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Daura Road Roundabout, and along the Kayauki–Daura axis.

The late President’s residence had a small number of mourners, with security personnel maintaining a solemn vigil.

There was also noticeable security at the palace of the Emir of Daura, where armed operatives were positioned within and around the premises.

Buhari’s neighbours, family members, close friends and associates were seen in a sorrowful mood. They described the deceased as humble, disciplined and generous in his relationship with people during his lifetime. They added that Buhari would continue to be remembered for his character.

Among the first set of visitors are Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina, former Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna and former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

Tinubu had, on Sunday, asked Shettima and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to accompany the late former president’s body back from the United Kingdom to Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Abubakar said he had just been discharged when he received the news of Buhari’s demise.

“Unfortunately, we were in the same hospital together. But I have been discharged,” he said. “So, when I heard the news of his passing, I quickly went there to condole the family and to see what could be done to get the body ready to be taken home.”

Reflecting on their decades-long relationship, the last military leader before the Fourth Republic said his bond with Buhari dated back to 1962 when they both joined the Nigerian military.

“He was my senior; and during the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same sector,” Abdulsalami recalled.

He described the late head of state and later president as a very quiet and exceptionally honest gentleman.

“You can trust Buhari with anything on this earth and he will not betray you,” he added.

He commended Buhari’s anti-corruption stance but acknowledged that some officials in his administration fell short of expectations.

“When he became a democratic president, he tried his best to fight corruption. Unfortunately, some of the officers who served with him are found wanting. They didn’t do as much as was expected from them,” he said.

Abubakar described Buhari’s death as a “big blow” to Nigeria and the sub-region.

He noted that Tinubu’s decision to send Shettima and Gbajabiamila to the United Kingdom to oversee the return of Buhari’s remains “shows the magnitude of what has befallen Nigeria”.

He added: “With the passing of Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change. I hope for the better.”

Shettima, who arrived in the UK ahead of the repatriation of the late president’s remains, met with the family to express the government’s sympathies.

He also visited the bereaved nephew, Mamman Daura, who is receiving medical care in a London hospital, as well as Abubakar, who is recuperating.

The condolence visits come as Shettima awaits the conclusion of necessary procedures and documentation for the return of Buhari’s body to Nigeria.

Shettima was accompanied on the trip by Chief of Staff to the President, Gbajabiamila; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia.