COVID-19: Presidency Announces Plan For Abba Kyari’s Burial

The deceased, Mallam Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, will be buried in Abuja today.

Mr Kyari, from Borno State, was declared dead on Friday from coronavirus complications. He was first tested positive for the virus on March 23 and subsequently moved to a private medical facility in Lagos for treatment.

Following his demise Friday night, the presidency has begun burial plans in earnest in line with Islamic provisions.

According to Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Mr Kyari’s remains will arrive in Abuja from Lagos Saturday morning.

“He will be received by friends and cabinet colleagues at the airport in Abuja from where he will later be taken to a cemetery in the nation’s capital for burial,” Mr Shehu said.

The burial will not be made open in compliance with the existing social distancing directive aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly virus.

Mr Kyari has been in the public consciousness since he was announced to have fallen victim of the virus on March 23.

He was initially receiving treatment in Abuja before he was transferred to a private hospital in Lagos on March 29.

In a March 29 statement, Mr Kyari said his health was improving and urged Nigerians to remain calm about his situation and keep a hygienic lifestyle to avoid contracting the virus.

But on Friday night, the presidency confirmed he had departed from complications inflicted by the virus. Mr Kyari consequently became the most senior Nigerian government official and politician to die from the virus, which was first reported in the country on February 27.

Nearly 500 Nigerians have now contracted the virus as of Friday night, out of which 17 victims have been confirmed dead.