Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally sent him to London alongside the Chief of Staff to retrieve the body of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a solemn and strategic gesture of respect from the Nigerian presidency.
Speaking during a special condolence gathering and three-day prayer in Daura, Katsina State, Shettima described the loss of Buhari not just as a tragedy for his hometown of Daura or Katsina State, but a monumental loss for the entire African continent.
“Death is inevitable. We must all remember that we are travellers, sent from God and to Him we shall return,” Shettima said with a tone of spiritual reflection. He prayed for the soul of the departed president, asking Allah to accept his good deeds and continue to protect his family.
The Vice President disclosed that before Buhari’s passing, President Tinubu had instructed him and the Chief of Staff to travel to London, where Buhari had been undergoing treatment.
“I was in London for two days on the directive of the President, even before the demise of Baba. It was part of the effort to manage the moment with utmost dignity,” he said.
Shettima confirmed that following Buhari’s death, he accompanied the late president’s remains back to Nigeria for burial. “It was a coordinated mission rooted in respect, consultation, and deep national concern,” he noted.
He also explained that after due consultations between Buhari’s family and the Katsina State Government, it was agreed that the final prayer (Fidau) for the late president would be held the following day in Daura.
He urged Nigerians and well-wishers to feel free to attend and offer prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul.
“Buhari was not just a former president. He was a symbol of discipline, integrity, and simplicity. This is a time for unity, prayer, and gratitude for his life of service,” Shettima added.
The atmosphere in Daura was heavy with reverence, as dignitaries, religious scholars, political leaders, and ordinary citizens continued to arrive to pay tribute.
The upcoming final prayer is expected to draw an even larger turnout, as the nation collectively bids farewell to a towering figure in its history.
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