A delegation from the Republic of Niger has arrived Katsina State, Nigeria, to participate in the burial rites of the late former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The Nigerien government officials landed in Katsina on Tuesday morning ahead of the burial scheduled to take place in Buhari’s hometown of Daura.
Sources told SaharaReporters that preparations for the final internment of the former Nigerian leader had reached an advanced stage.
Reliable sources disclosed that Buhari’s grave had already been dug as part of the burial arrangements.
SaharaReporters gathered that virtually all major hotels in Katsina metropolis have been fully booked since Monday as top government officials, diplomats, military generals, and political allies continue to arrive the state.
There is also a significant deployment of security operatives across strategic locations within Katsina State, including Daura, the hometown of the late President.
Armoured personnel carriers, soldiers, DSS operatives, and anti-riot police officers have been sighted along major roads and around hotels where top dignitaries are lodging.
Among the high-profile personalities already on their way to Katsina are Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that both departed Abuja separately early Tuesday to attend the final funeral rites of the former Nigerian leader.
The remains of former Buhari on Tuesday morning also departed London for Daura, Katsina State, ahead of his state burial.
The late president’s body was flown aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials.
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to Buhari, confirmed this on Tuesday morning via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at about 4:30 pm in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. However, details of the illness were not made public.
In honour of the former leader, the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a public holiday to allow for the state burial ceremony in his hometown of Daura, a quiet agrarian community in Katsina State.
Buhari, admired in some quarters for his signature upright posture, hailed from Daura in Nigeria’s North-West region. He previously served as Nigeria’s military head of state from January 1984 until August 1985.
The Nigerian government had also declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a public holiday in honour of the late Buhari.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the remains of the former military dictator-turned-democratic leader would no longer arrive in Nigeria on Monday as initially scheduled, forcing a shift in the burial arrangements.
Ahmad confirmed on Monday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle that the late President’s body is now expected to arrive in Katsina at noon on Tuesday, with burial rites scheduled for 2pm in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
“The body of the late President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to arrive in Katsina at 12:00 noon tomorrow(Tuesday), with funeral according to Islamic rites scheduled to take place in his hometown of Daura by 2:00 PM on the same day,” Ahmad wrote.
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