Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany tests negative for COVID-19

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, has tested negative for the coronavirus, TheCable has learnt.

Tuggar had been in close contact with Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, during discussions with Siemens in Germany over projects in the Nigerian power sector.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi state, has also tested positive.

With Kyari and Mohammed testing positive, there were fears that those they came in contact with might be at risk.

The meetings in Germany took place between March 9 and 10, but Tuggar also had another meeting with Kyari at the presidential villa in Abuja on March 20 — three days before the president’s right-hand was diagnosed positive.

“It is true. I tested negative,” Tuggar replied when asked by TheCable to confirm the story.

Buhari also tested negative.

The ambassador now tweeted on the result.

I wish to inform you that I got my test results this morning and they were negative for COVID 19. I know some of you saw news stories saying I was with Chief of Staff Abba Kyari and Bauchi Gov Bala Mohd in Germany and therefore may be infected or that we were all infected there

— Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (@YusufTuggar) March 28, 2020