A wave of grief swept through the town of Daura yesterday as former President Muhammadu Buhari was buried in his hometown in Katsina State.
The 82-year-old former leader was laid to rest amid a downpour that seemed to mirror the emotions of mourners gathered to pay their final respects.
Buhari’s body, wrapped in the Nigerian flag’s green-white-green colours, was lowered into the earth at 5:50 p.m., surrounded by his grieving family, children, close associates, and high-ranking dignitaries.
The burial was conducted with full military honours, including a gun salute and ceremonial processions, in line with his status as a former Commander-in-Chief. Islamic funeral rites were also observed before the interment.
Daura, a quiet farming town in northwest Nigeria, was both the birthplace and now final resting place of Buhari—fondly called “Mai Gaskiya”, or “the honest one” by many of his loyal supporters in the North.
His political journey spanned nearly a decade in leadership—first as military Head of State from 1984 to 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023.
Dignitaries present at the burial included his widow, Aisha Buhari; President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; businessman Aliko Dangote; as well as past and present governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders.
Related: Buhari’s Remains Leave London for Daura
President Tinubu had earlier received Buhari’s body at Katsina Airport following its arrival from London, where the former president passed away at The London Clinic on Sunday, July 13, after a prolonged illness.
The federal government declared yesterday a national day of mourning, with flags flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the late statesman.
Born on December 17, 1942, Buhari leaves behind a legacy defined by his anti-corruption stance and firm leadership style.
While many Nigerians view him as a symbol of discipline and patriotism, his administration also faced criticism over certain economic and security policies.
As the nation reflects on his passing, the memory of Muhammadu Buhari—a man who left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s political landscape—will endure for generations to come.
Image Credit: Premium Times Nigeria
