Tinubu leads as dignitaries bid Buhari farewell (PHOTOS)

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest at his residence in Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday following funeral prayers and interment attended by dignitaries led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Buhari’s final journey began when his body arrived Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina from London where he died last Sunday.

President Tinubu and other dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Umaru Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ali Lamine Zeine, former President of Niger Republic, Issoufou Mahamadou, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors and business leaders, escorted the late President’s remains on the hour-long drive to Daura.

Large crowds lined the streets of Daura and gathered at the former President’s residence to pay their last respects.

Upon arrival, a brief lying-in-state ceremony was held at President Buhari’s residence, followed by the funeral prayer (Salatul Janazah) led by Sheikh Salisu Rabiu, the Imam of the Central Mosque in Daura.

President Tinubu and the late President’s close family members witnessed the final interment at 5.50 p.m

The state funeral was marked by full military honours, including a reveille and a 21-gun salute.

A weeklong programme of events will continue later on Tuesday with a condolence visit to President Buhari’s family by the Presidential Committee.