Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in the United Kingdom to oversee the repatriation of the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday after a prolonged illness.

The Vice President’s visit was confirmed in the early hours of Monday by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, who revealed that Shettima was received at the London hospital by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuff Tuggar.

According to Presidency sources, Shettima departed Nigeria around midnight on Sunday. Upon his arrival in the UK, he was joined by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The late President Buhari, who served two terms as Nigeria’s leader, had battled undisclosed health issues for several years. He died on Sunday in a London hospital, where he had been receiving treatment.

His corpse is expected to be flown back to Nigeria today for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.