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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Former President Muhammadu Buhari was on Tuesday buried in his ancestral hometown of Daura, Katsina State, with solemn rites, military honours, and tributes from around the world.
The late President, who died in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness, was buried according to Islamic rites in a quiet ceremony attended by family members, dignitaries, and close allies.
His remains arrived in Nigeria earlier in the day aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft. Vice President Kashim Shettima and top government officials accompanied the body to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina, where President Bola Tinubu was on hand to receive it.
From there, the casket draped in the green and white of Nigeria’s national flag, was airlifted to Daura in a helicopter. Along the way, crowds gathered, many waving small flags or silently holding portraits of the man they called “Baba,” hoping for a final glimpse.
At 5:50 p.m., Buhari’s body was lowered into the earth within the grounds of his private residence. Army Generals and Service Chiefs bore the casket to his graveside, honouring him with a 21-gun salute and a symbolic gesture of national respect from the military institution he once led.
The Federal Government had earlier declared July 15 a public holiday, enabling millions of Nigerians to mourn the late leader. In Daura, the air was heavy with both reverence and sorrow as mourners flooded the streets and whispers of prayers echoed through the ancient town.
“He was humble and disciplined till the end,” said Ismaila Ibrahim, a neighbour who shared proximity with the former president for over five decades. “For over 50 years, we lived peacefully together here in Daura.”
The funeral was attended by a host of dignitaries, including President Tinubu, several state governors, cabinet members, former heads of state, and religious leaders. Security was tight, but the atmosphere remained calm as residents paid their respects with solemn dignity.
Tributes continued to pour in from across Nigeria and the globe. Buhari, who served as military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 before returning as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023, was widely praised for his austere lifestyle, strong anti-corruption stance, and commitment to national unity.
Family members received an unending stream of sympathisers throughout the day, many of whom recalled his quiet strength and devotion to the country.
As the last prayers were said and the sun dipped below the horizon in Daura, the nation paused while reflecting on the legacy of a man who, through service, sacrifice, and simplicity, left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political journey.
Muhammadu Buhari is gone, but the story of his life will remain etched in the soul of the country he once served.