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| Shettima arrives in London to receive Buhari’s remains { credits: NAN } |
The vice president flew into London early Monday. He came to receive the body of former president Muhammadu Buhari. President Bola Tinubu sent him on this mission soon after he broke the sad news. Buhari died on Sunday afternoon in a London hospital at age 82 .
Shettima’s team included the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. They landed at Heathrow and headed straight to the medical center where Buhari passed on. The foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, were on hand to greet them .
The Nigerian flag will fly at half-mast for seven days. Tinubu ordered this as a sign of respect and mourning . He also asked Shettima to stay with the remains until they reached Abuja.
Buhari first led Nigeria as a military head of state in the mid-1980s. He then won two terms as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023. His rule drew praise for its fight against graft but faced tough criticism over rising insecurity and slow decision-making .
Many world leaders have sent their condolences. India’s prime minister recalled close ties with Nigeria. The WTO director-general spoke of Buhari’s steady hand in finance. Home-grown voices praised his push for new roads, rail lines, and power projects .
Shettima’s trip marks the start of a carefully planned return. On arrival in Abuja, there will be a state ceremony at Eagle Square. The body will then be moved to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, for burial according to Muslim rites .
Some see this as a moment to heal old wounds. Buhari’s era was marked by hard lines on security and big hopes for the economy. Critics note that attacks by armed groups rose under his watch. Supporters point to his scaling up of key highways and ports .
Tinubu has called on Nigerians to put aside politics and join in mourning. He urged unity and a calm mind as the nation bids farewell to one of its most talked-about leaders.