LIVE UPDATES: Nigeria mourns Buhari as state funeral begins in Daura

Nigeria is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent and polarising leaders, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in the United Kingdom at the age of 81. His death was confirmed by the presidency late Sunday night, sparking a wave of tributes, political debate, and national reflection.

Buhari, a retired military general, served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985 before returning decades later as a two-term civilian President between 2015 and 2023. He leaves behind a legacy defined by discipline, austerity, controversy, and an enduring cult-like following in parts of northern Nigeria.

Today, his body makes the final journey home to Daura, Katsina State, where he will be buried with full state honours.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has been laid to rest drawing an emotional close to a chapter in Nigeria’s political history.

A guard of honour was mounted for the Commander-in-Chief, shortly before the Nigerian Air Force plane transporting Buhari’s body touched down at 1:51 p.m.

A guard of honour was mounted for the Commander-in-Chief, shortly before the Nigerian Air Force plane transporting Buhari’s body touched down at 1:51 p.m.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Buhari laid to rest in Daura as Tinubu leads State farewell

Islamic burial rites for late ex-President Buhari have begun at his home in Daura. The late president had previously expressed his wish to be interred in his ancestral home.

Janazah prayers have been conducted at a temporary prayer site established in Daura. The ceremony drew Nigeria's top leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside state governors, federal officials, and traditional rulers who gathered to pay their final respects.

The body of Nigeria's late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has reached his ancestral home of Daura, completing the final stage of his journey from Katsina State ahead of tonight's burial ceremony.

The ancient town is now bustling with activity as dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, and thousands of sympathizers from across Nigeria converge for the Janazah prayers and final interment of the former two-term president.

The remains of Nigeria's late former President Muhammadu Buhari have been loaded into an ambulance and are now en route to his ancestral home in Daura for burial.

The solemn convoy departed Umaru Musa Yar'Adua International Airport in Katsina moments ago, escorted by heavy security as the final leg of the former leader's journey home begins.

Buhari's body will be transported directly to Daura, where burial preparations are already underway in accordance with Islamic traditions. The funeral is expected to commence later this evening.

Crowds are already gathering along the route to Daura as communities prepare to pay their final respects to the former two-term president who died Sunday at age 82.

We'll continue following the convoy's progress and bring you live updates from Daura as the burial ceremony approaches...

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The body of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State on Tuesday, July 15, under tight security and solemn observance.

A nine-man funeral committee appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the late leader’s body at the airport.

The committee includes top government officials, senior clerics, and members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Also on ground was Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, dressed in a black traditional attire, who had arrived earlier to pay her respects.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Buhari’s body arrives Katsina ahead of burial in Daura

The first daughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Fatima Buhari, has arrived at the family home in Daura, visibly emotional as preparations continue for her father's burial today.

Fatima appeared distraught upon arrival and was immediately comforted by relatives and close family friends, including prominent APC member Maryam Shettima, who were present to support the grieving family.

Other members of the Buhari family have also converged on the Daura residence as the community prepares to bid farewell to the former Nigerian leader.

The burial ceremony is scheduled to proceed as planned, with funeral prayers set for 2:00 PM at the Emir's palace, followed by interment at the family residence.

More updates to follow as the ceremony unfolds...

Security has been heightened around Buhari’s Daura residence in anticipation of his arrival. Personnel from the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, and NSCDC were seen stationed at strategic points around the property. Grave-digging commenced early Tuesday within the compound, with a fenced section designated for the burial.

Sources confirmed that preparations are in full swing, with the body expected to be laid to rest at noon.

READ MORE: Security tightens at Buhari’s residence as grave digging begins

A high-profile delegation of Nigerian political figures and dignitaries has begun arriving in Daura, the hometown of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, as preparations for his final burial rites get underway.

The ancient town of Daura has witnessed a surge in human and vehicular traffic as citizens, political associates, government officials, and traditional leaders converge to pay their last respects to the former military Head of State and two-term civilian President.

Among the early arrivals are senior political figures, former cabinet members, state governors, traditional rulers and dignitaries including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and former ministers, who have all arrived in Daura to pay their last respects.

Below is a list of VIPs who made the early arrivals in Daura

• Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria

• Yemi Osibanjo, Former Vice President of Nigeria

• Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State

• Aminu Bello Masari, former Governor of Katsina State

• Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State

• Ahmad Lawan, former Senate President

• Ali Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

• Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State

• Ali Modu Sheriff, former Governor of Borno State and one-time PDP National Chairman

• Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State

• Aliyu Wamakko, former Governor of Sokoto State

• Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Solid Minerals

• Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Women Affairs

President Bola Tinubu will personally receive the late president’s body when it arrives in Katsina on Tuesday, according to Information Minister Mohammed Idris. A brief military ceremony is expected at the airport, after which the body will be transported to Daura for Islamic funeral rites and interment.

The president has approved a state burial for Buhari, with an inter-ministerial committee chaired by SGF George Akume overseeing proceedings. Other members include ministers of defence, interior, FCT, health, finance, housing, and culture. The General Services Office (GSO) will serve as the secretariat.

Condolence registers have been opened at all federal ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and Nigerian embassies and missions around the world.

President Tinubu continues to receive condolence messages from world leaders, a development many see as a reflection of Buhari’s global influence and enduring legacy.

A wave of grief has swept across Katsina State as thousands of residents trooped into Daura, the hometown of former President Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of his burial today.

Several residents described the moment as the “end of an era,” noting that Daura and the entire Katsina State will never be the same again following Buhari’s passing.

“Our land will never remain the same again. Buhari brought light and honour to this town. We have lost a giant,” Malam Salihu Usman, a Daura elder told newsmen.