Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda was seen weeping quietly on Tuesday evening as the body of former President Muhammadu Buhari was brought to his final resting place in Daura, Katsina State.
The emotional moment occurred as military officers, family members and dignitaries gathered at the burial site, where Buhari’s body was placed on a ceremonial platform ahead of the interment.
A solemn atmosphere filled the air as a military band played farewell tunes in honour of the late former president, while prayers were said and preparations for the final Islamic rites continued.
Governor Radda stood silently at the side of the gathering, visibly overwhelmed with emotion.
The remains of the former president arrived earlier in the day aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft which landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, at about 2:00 p.m.
The casket was received by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Katsina State officials and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
From the airport, the body was taken to Buhari’s hometown of Daura for a state burial attended by dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.
At the graveside, top government officials, traditional rulers, military personnel and foreign diplomats assembled to pay their final respects.
As of 5:50 p.m., the former president’s body was being prepared for interment in line with Islamic customs.
Buhari, who died in London on Sunday at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness, served Nigeria both as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
His death marks the end of a significant era in Nigeria’s political history and tributes have poured in from across the world acknowledging his impact, leadership and legacy.
