President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday received the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina, ahead of final burial rites in Daura, Katsina State.

Tinubu arrived from Abuja at 1:42 p.m. and inspected a guard of honour before the Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying Buhari’s casket touched down at 1:51 p.m. Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, in a London hospital at the age of 82.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Buhari’s widow, Aisha Buhari, were among those who accompanied the late president’s body on the flight from London to Nigeria.

Dignitaries present at the reception included President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger Ali Lamine Zeine, former President of Niger Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. They joined President Tinubu at the foot of the aircraft to formally receive the casket.

The casket, wrapped in the Nigerian national colours, was borne by a team of senior military officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The pallbearers included Major-General Mohammed Usman, Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, and others. The detail was coordinated by Major General Mike Alechenu.

A solemn procession followed as the pallbearers wheeled the casket across the tarmac, moving in step with the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” A full military guard of honour composed of six officers and 96 soldiers stood at attention during the ceremony.

The casket was placed into a military hearse for the hour-long journey to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, where funeral prayers and burial are to be conducted in line with Islamic rites. The ceremony included full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.

The state funeral continues in Daura, where Nigerian and foreign dignitaries are expected to gather to pay final respects.