Abba Kyari: How Govt Officials Defied NCDC Directive

Pat Stevens/

Defying the directive of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a number of dignitaries huddled together at the burial of Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja, today.

The needlessly large number of sympathisers at the burial coupled with the careless manner they milled around the grave made complete rubbish of the much-advertised COVID-19 protocol, especially with regards to avoiding mass gatherings social distancing.

This is more so when viewed against the backdrop of the warning by the NCDC this morning as preparations began for Kyari’s internment.

NCDC had tweeted, “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.”

But in utter disregard of its own rule, government officials and dignitaries were seen in sizeable number milling around Kyari’s body before it was lowered into the grave.

Also, images from the burial site show some officials using their hands to dress the grave without wearing any protective equipment.

See more images from the burial:

0