Nigeria Mourns: Shettima, Gbajabiamila Arrive London to Repatriate Late President Buhari’s Remains

By Aremu Toyeebaht

Nigeria has entered a period of national mourning as former President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away at the age of 82. In response, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Presidential Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila have arrived in London to facilitate the return of Buhari’s remains to Nigeria.

The high-level delegation was dispatched on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the former leader’s death in London at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday after a prolonged illness.

Upon arrival, Shettima and Gbajabiamila were received by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum. The dignitaries will accompany Buhari’s body back to Daura, Katsina State, where the late president will be buried later today in line with Islamic funeral rites.

In an official statement, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, confirmed the arrival of the delegation in the UK early Monday.

President Tinubu has ordered Nigerian flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide as a symbol of respect and mourning for the late statesman, whose leadership shaped modern Nigeria.

Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler from 1984 to 1985, served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. He was widely recognized for his anti-corruption stance, infrastructure initiatives, and influence in regional security.

As the nation prepares to receive and honor the former president, tributes continue to pour in from world leaders and Nigerian citizens alike, remembering a leader who left an indelible mark on the country’s political history.