A presidential team sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in London to bring back the body of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday afternoon in a London hospital after a long illness.
The delegation is being led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila also part of the team. They landed in the UK on Monday morning.
Upon arrival, they were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the team will handle the final arrangements to ensure Buhari’s body is returned home with full respect.
President Tinubu, after announcing Buhari’s death on Sunday, gave orders for:
- Vice President Shettima to lead the mission to London, and
- All national flags to fly at half mast in honour of the late leader.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1984 to 1985, and later as democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. He was widely seen as a symbol of discipline, patriotism, and integrity.
Plans are now in progress to return his body to Nigeria, where official mourning activities and state honour will take place.