Mourners defied the advice of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday as a large number of people gathered for the burial of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
The chief of staff was buried at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja.
On arrival from Lagos, Kyari’s body was moved from the ambulance by NCDC staff to the cemetery.
Although hand gloves and sanitisers were shared to all who were present at the burial, the NCDC had warned on Twitter before the commencement of the burial against mass gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Even at this time, as we mourn loved ones lost to COVID-19, including the recently deceased, President’s Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, we need to refrain from attending mass gatherings to prevent the further spread of #COVID19. Let us #StaySafe & protect each other,” the agency wrote.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, was also present at the burial.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, who was at the cemetery, described Kyari’s death as ‘devastating’.
Shehu added that “the funeral and burial are strictly private.”
He commended the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health for making every arrangement for the burial.
