The state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, held on Tuesday, July 16, witnessed an overwhelming influx of dignitaries, sympathisers, and security personnel from across Nigeria, but thanks to seamless coordination among stakeholders, traffic and crowd movement remained smooth throughout the event.
The ceremony, which drew thousands to Katsina metropolis and Daura Buhari’s hometown and final resting place posed a significant logistical challenge, particularly on the over 70-kilometre stretch between the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport and Daura town. Yet, despite the surge in vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the event proceeded without major disruptions.
Security and traffic agencies in Katsina State, rather than acting in isolation, collaborated closely in a well-coordinated joint operation. According to officials, traffic control and crowd management were among the key priorities identified during the early stages of planning.
The success of the operation has been credited to a proactive strategy and situational planning tailored to the anticipated challenges. Coordinated efforts by heads of security agencies and the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security led to timely decisions on personnel deployment, route security, and the maintenance of order.
"The movement from the airport to Daura was smooth and incident-free," said Maxwell K. Lede, Sector Commander and Corps Commander, who was involved in the coordination. "It reflected the strength of our shared planning and teamwork."
Observers noted that the level of cooperation among the various agencies set a positive example for future national events. “What we saw wasn’t just a security operation, but a demonstration of unity and collective responsibility,” one official stated.
The peaceful and organized traffic flow during the burial of President Buhari has been widely acknowledged as a model of inter-agency synergy and effective crisis management.
May the soul of the late president rest in perfect peace.
