Checkout Magazine has learnt that Vice President Kashim Shettima is on his way to Nigeria with the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari.
His burial rites are scheduled to take place later today in Daura, Katsina State.
This was confirmed in a brief alert on Tuesday morning by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.
“I can only confirm that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has departed London for Nigeria in the company of some family members of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari,” Nkwocha said.
He further disclosed that other members of the Federal Government delegation, also dispatched to London by President Tinubu, have departed for Nigeria as well.
The Vice President arrived in the United Kingdom on Sunday, shortly after President Tinubu officially announced the passing of former President Buhari and directed that he lead a high-powered delegation to accompany the body back home.
The delegation includes the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
Buhari died on Sunday afternoon in a London hospital after a prolonged illness.
The Presidency has since ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the late leader.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023, will be buried in accordance with Islamic rites in his hometown of Daura later today.
