London Awaits the Final Journey: Vice President Shettima Touches Down to Escort Buhari's Body Back Home

In a somber and emotionally charged atmosphere, Vice President Kashim Shettima touched down in London early Monday morning, marking a historic and symbolic moment in Nigeria’s political history. The Vice President arrived aboard a presidential jet just after 6:45 a.m. local time, stepping into the brisk London air with a solemn expression and an unmistakable air of purpose. His mission: to accompany the body of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria for his final rites.

The Vice President’s arrival, captured in now-viral photographs shared on various social media platforms, shows Shettima descending the aircraft staircase dressed in a dark kaftan, his signature cap perched squarely on his head, and flanked by members of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom. The expression on his face was heavy, reflective — that of a man shouldering the enormous responsibility of bringing home not just a former leader, but a towering figure in Nigeria’s political narrative, a man who led Africa’s most populous nation through turbulent years marked by both progress and controversy.

London Heathrow Airport bore witness to scenes reminiscent of state mourning, as diplomatic vehicles lined the tarmac and uniformed British protocol officers coordinated a discreet and respectful welcome. Vice President Shettima was quickly ushered into a waiting convoy that headed to the private clinic in West London where the late President Buhari passed away on Sunday afternoon. He was aged 82.

Sources from the Nigerian High Commission confirmed that Shettima would be present for the official release of Buhari’s remains, a gesture deeply rooted in Nigerian tradition and state protocol. This act is not just procedural — it is symbolic. It signifies a transfer of responsibility from the international community to the home country, and Shettima’s presence underscores the gravity with which the Nigerian government is treating this transition.

The atmosphere outside the clinic was tense yet respectful, with a few Nigerians living in the UK gathered quietly, holding up flags and placards that read “Rest in Peace Baba” and “Nigeria Will Never Forget.” Some wept quietly. Others prayed. A few simply stood in silence, reflecting on a man whose leadership sparked a thousand opinions, but whose passing has united even the harshest of critics in reflection.

Shortly after his arrival at the clinic, Shettima met with Buhari’s family members, who had earlier flown into London following the announcement of the former president’s deteriorating health. The meeting was held behind closed doors, but inside sources described it as “emotionally overwhelming.” Reports indicate that the Vice President offered personal condolences, paid respects to the body, and reaffirmed the federal government’s full commitment to honoring Buhari with a state burial.

Buhari’s body is expected to be flown back to Nigeria within the next 48 hours aboard a presidential aircraft specially outfitted for the occasion. The Vice President will accompany the remains on the flight, ensuring that every step of the journey back home is handled with dignity. Upon arrival in Abuja, a series of national mourning protocols will be activated, including lying-in-state ceremonies, interfaith prayers, and military honors.

Already, the Presidential Villa in Abuja has begun preparing for the reception of the late leader’s body. Black drapes now adorn parts of Aso Rock, and flags remain at half-mast. Across the country, an air of sorrow has taken hold, even among those who were critical of Buhari’s policies. Death, it seems, has drawn a curtain on the noise, forcing a nation to take stock of the legacy of a man who, in many ways, embodied the contradictions of modern Nigeria.

Vice President Shettima, while not giving a formal statement since landing in London, has been described by aides as being “visibly moved” and “completely dedicated” to ensuring that Buhari’s homecoming is one befitting a former head of state. The Vice President is also expected to lead a small delegation of officials and religious leaders who will perform final rites on the late president before his burial.

Back in Nigeria, condolences continue to pour in from every corner of the country and beyond. World leaders, former Nigerian presidents, traditional rulers, clerics, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens have shared their tributes, with most focusing on Buhari’s decades of public service, his unrelenting war on corruption, and his fierce nationalism — characteristics that defined his leadership, even in the face of criticism.

Critics and supporters alike have taken to social media to share pictures, videos, and personal memories of the late president. Some recall his military days, his early attempts at democratic leadership, and his dramatic return to power in 2015 after a series of electoral defeats. Others have highlighted the challenges of his presidency — economic hardship, insecurity, and widespread dissatisfaction — but even among these voices, there is a shared understanding that Buhari was a consequential figure in Nigeria’s modern history.

Vice President Shettima’s presence in London serves not just as an official duty, but as a gesture of continuity and stability in a nation still processing the death of a powerful former leader. It signals that the state is firmly in control of proceedings and that every effort is being made to ensure the late president receives the farewell he deserves.

As dusk falls over London, the eyes of a continent turn toward Heathrow, awaiting the flight that will carry Muhammadu Buhari on his final journey back home. It is a flight heavy with history, politics, and emotion. A flight that not only marks the end of a life, but the closing of a chapter — one that has shaped, stirred, and challenged Nigeria for decades.

Vice President Shettima, in escorting Buhari’s body, is not just bearing witness to history — he is helping to write it.