The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu will personally be on ground in Katsina State today to receive the remains of Muhammadu Buhari, who died in the UK.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a high-level federal government delegation, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently concluding documentation and logistical arrangements in London for the repatriation of the former president’s remains.
“The remains of the former president are expected to arrive in Katsina by 12 noon on Tuesday. Upon arrival, in Katsina, a brief military ceremony will be held at the airport,” Idris said on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing on the burial arrangements.
He added that the remains would, thereafter, proceed to Daura, where the Jana’iza (funeral prayer) would take place, followed by interment at the late president’s residence.
“As we prepare to bid farewell to one of Nigeria’s foremost statesmen, the federal government urges all Nigerians to join in prayers and reflection for the repose of the soul of our former leader,” he said.
Daura residents eulogise Buhari’s virtues
Meanwhile, some residents who used to pray with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura have extolled his high moral behaviours. They testified that Buhari was a man who never missed prayers in congregation whenever he was in Daura.
In an interview with NAN on Monday in Daura, Katsina State, they said Buhari was steadfast in his faith. They said he celebrated both Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir consistently with the people of his immediate community.
One of the residents, Malam Ashiru Yusuf, said that Buhari was trustworthy, honest and showed concern for people.
“Most of the time, we visited him at home for issues like politics, whenever it was time for prayers, the meeting must be stopped until after the prayer.
“People are eyewitnesses that whenever he was in Daura, he also observed Friday prayer in congregation every week throughout his stay in the town.”
On his part, the ward head of Dumurkul, Buhari’s birthplace, Malam Nazir Ahmad, who is also the Sarkin-Fulani of Dumurkul, said that Buhari lived with their fathers in peace and respect despite his social standing.
“He visits our fathers here in Dumurkul, and they also visit him in his home. Whenever he arrived in Daura, they would go and welcome him, and they also bid him farewell after his stay.
“We had been together for the past 12 years, since the death of our father. Whatever he used to give to our father, he has extended it to us, he is now dead. May Allah have mercy on his soul.
“He observes Juma’at prayer every week here, he was generous, no human being is one hundred per cent complete, may Allah forgive him and receive his soul with mercy,” he prayed.
Usman Salisu, another resident of Dumurkul, said that they were still in grief since they heard the news of Buhari’s death on Sunday.
He said that Buhari loved his relatives, was very sympathetic and loved visiting his brothers and surviving sister.
“He was honest and an advocate for honesty and trustworthiness. He was jovial, and we really lost a great man.
“I am asking people to forgive him for his shortcomings. We also pray that Allah will pardon him and admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus,” he said.
NSCDC deploys 2,807 operatives ahead of Buhari’s burial
Meanwhile, the Katsina Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has deployed 2,807 operatives across strategic locations ahead of the former President Muhammad Buhari’s burial on Tuesday.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Aminu Datti, disclosed this in a statement in Katsina on Monday. He said that the deployment followed a directive by the NSCDC Commandant General, Mr Ahmed Abubakar-Audi, to ensure safety and security before, during and after the burial.
He said strategic deployment of personnel were done in Daura, Umar Musa Yar’adua International Airport Katsina, the palaces of the Emir of Katsina, Daura and other sensitive areas.
Datti emphasised on certain operational strategies to include intensive surveillance, gathering credible intelligence, community engagement, collaboration and synergy with other security agencies.
“Both covert and overt personnel across the state were charged for adequate protection of all facilities belonging to all governments,” he revealed.
The commandant tasked the relevant Heads of Departments/Units, Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, Unit Commanders, Outposts and Special Forces to ensure well coordination and proper patrolling to provide watertight security in the state.
“Personnel deployed must be very professional and synergise with other security agencies to ensure adequate security,” the Commandant reiterated
Datti expressed his deep condolences to the family of the late former president, government, people of the state and Nigerians as a whole. He further prayed to Allah to grant eternal rest and reward late Buhari with paradise.