Kyari's body arrives Abuja for burial

The late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, will be buried on Saturday
(today) in Abuja.

Personal Assistant on New Media to President Buhari, Basir Ahmad, made this known on his Twitter handle on Saturday morning.

We just received the body of Abba Kyari the deceased Chief of Staff the President in Abuja. In strict observation of the protocol put in place for the burial of Coronavirus victims by the @NCDCgov and the Federal Ministry of Health, the funeral prayer and burial will be private.

— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) April 18, 2020

He said, “Mallam Abba Kyari will be buried later today in Abuja according to Islamic rites.”


According to SR, Muslim prayers for Kyari will be held at the Defence House and his burial will take place at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja.

Kyari died on Friday as a result of complications from Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, it's been a mixed bag of reactions following the announcement of Nigeria's Chief of Staff's passing away after battling coronavirus for weeks. However, at this sad moment, leaders across the country have kept their differences aside to mourn the passing away a man described as "the most misunderstood people in the history of Nigeria."

Kyari's death was announced by President Buhari’s Media adviser, Femi Adesina, in a statement early Saturday.



He said, “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari”, he said.

“The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.

“May God accept his soul.Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly”, Adesina added.

Political Leaders React

Political leaders in the country have been reacting to the 'shocking' news of Kyari's death.

Former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar condoled with the family in a facebook post, he said "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. I am saddened by the death of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. May Allah SWT comfort his family, forgive his sins and grant him AlJannah Firdaus. Ameen."


Senator Ben Murray Bruce, "‪I am saddened by the news of the death of Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari. My sincere condolences to the family and loved ones, and also President Buhari. May his soul rest in peace. ‬"

Buhari's critic Fani Kayode wrote, "I have lost a friend of 40 years. We were at Cambridge together. We worked in my fathers law firm together. We remained close throughout right up until the end even though we disagreed politically. ABBA was a good man: a man of honor & a loyal friend. May his soul rest in peace."

Senator Shehu Sani wrote via Twitter, " Abba Kyari;The President has lost a trusted and loyal friend. A man who took the bullets of his master with smiles, calmness & silence. We knew his cap and his colors but never his mind or his own side of his story.He will be missed as a Punchman or a punch bag.



Buhari's personal assistant on new Media, Bashir Amad, said, "Abba Kyari certainly was one of the most misunderstood people in the history of Nigeria. Those who had the opportunity to know him personally will tell you how extremely a good person he was. A man of honor, will be remembered as someone who sacrificed his life for this country.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said, "I sympathise with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Kyari family, and the Government and people of Borno State on the demise of Mallam Abba Kyari who until his death was the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria. He served his country to the best of his abilities as a lawyer, journalist and an astute administrator. May Allah grant him Al Jannah Firdaus and strengthen his family and friends during this period of grief."



Another critic of Buhari, Reno Omokri, reacts," My sincere and heartfelt condolences go to the family of Mallam Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to General Buhari, who has died at 81 from #CoronaVirus. He was one of the more effective, active and loyal members of the kitchen cabinet. Whatever our differences, he loved Nigeria. Death ends any quarrel or difference. We will all die one day, if Christ tarries. May God also grant General Buhari the fortitude to bear the heavy loss he has suffered. In Christ’s name I pray."