BREAKING: Buhari’s Chief of staff dies of Coronavirus

Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died from COVID-19 on Friday, Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu has said.

According to the Presidency, Mr Kyari, 82, had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and was receiving treatment but succumbed to the disease, bringing the country’s death toll to 17 with 493 infections thus far.

In a twitter posted seen by ABC News, the Presidential spokesperson wrote, “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19 and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.”

The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) April 17, 2020