The rumour making the rounds that billionaire, Aliko Dangote, has been held hostage in Mali, is false.
170 people are being held hostage in an hotel in Bamako, Mali, which was attacked by gunmen on Friday morning.
Chanting “Allahu Akbar”, Al Jazeera reports that the gunmen opened fire outside the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Meanwhile, on Nigerian social media, rumours were swirling through the grapevine that Dangote, who was in Mali on Thursday, is among the hostages.
A couple of tweets from Phil Hazelwood, the AFP bureau chief in West Africa, added life to the growing rumours.
Just spoken to Aliko Dangote’s spokesman Anthony Chiejina. He says Dangote not at Radisson Blu hotel in Mali.
— Phil Hazlewood (@philhazlewood) November 20, 2015
To clarify, Al Jazeera reports Aliko Dangote was staying at the hotel — unclear whether he was there when attack began.
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) November 20, 2015
Until Dangote tweeted through his handle that he was okay.
Rumour about me being held hostage is false. I was in Mali yesterday.Thank you for your concern. My prayers with those involved. — Aliko Dangote (@AlikoDangote) November 20, 2015
Then Phil Hazelwood tweeted that he had spoken to Dangote.
I’ve just spoken to Aliko Dangote: “I’m not there. I was there yesterday but I came back. I’m in the office in Lagos.” @afp #MaliAttacks
— Phil Hazlewood (@philhazlewood) November 20, 2015
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