Garba Shehu, others self-isolate as Abba Kyari tests positive to COVID-19

Activities in Nigeria's seat of power, Aso Villa, Abuja, has been shut down following the confirmation on Tuesday that Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu, had tested positive for Coronavirus.

The confirmation comes hours after SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Kyari was seriously ill and suspected of having Coronavirus after returning from trips to Germany and Egypt where the virus had killed dozens of persons.

The lockdown of Aso Villa, according to top insiders, was to prevent a further spread of the virus especially after Kyari came in contact with several high-ranking Presidency officials.

SaharaReporters gathered that Kyari met with Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Babagana Kingibe, a prominent member of the 'cabal' and Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, in recent days.

Shehu and Kingibe are said to have been in self-isolation since Kyari's infection emerged while there are indications that Governor Bello may have toed the same path, too, to protect himself.

Kyari had visited Bello recently over the loss of his mother.

According to findings by SaharaReporters, Kyari is currently being isolated for treatment at a guest chalet in the Defence House in Abuja.

The Presidency is yet to issue an official reaction on the situation.