Vice-President Kashim Shettima has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in London, following Buhari’s death at the age of 82 on Sunday.
The visit was confirmed in a statement released in Abuja by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President).
Shettima travelled to London on the instructions of President Bola Tinubu to oversee preparations to return Buhari’s body to Nigeria, where he will be buried in Daura on Tuesday.
The former president, who had travelled to London for routine medical checks in April, died at a clinic after a protracted illness. Buhari led Nigeria as President from 2015 to 2023, having previously served as Head of State from 1983 to 1985. He leaves behind his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and eight children.
In addition to meeting the late president’s family, Vice-President Shettima visited Buhari’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura, who is currently hospitalised in London.
Nkwocha explained that these condolence visits took place as the Vice-President awaited the final procedures and documentation required to repatriate Buhari’s remains.
Shettima was accompanied on the visit by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.
