Abba Kyari the chief of Staff and closest aide to the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has died after contracting the novel Coronavirus, spokesperson for the Presidency said.

“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,” Garba Shehu, spokesperson to the presidency said.

Another Aso Rock official, Bashir Ahmad also confirmed the news using an inscription for a background profile picture on his official twitter account, “RIP ABBA KYARI” in capital and bold letters.

This is obviously another setback for the presidency believed by many to be in shambles and run by a “Cabal” with the late Kyari as the head.

Nigeria continues to battle a global pandemic that has taken 17 lives of the confirmed 493 cases so far.

Chukwugozie Okeke reporting, Obinwannem News