Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, said he was not among the 170 hostages being held by suspected Islamist gunmen at Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, capital of Mali.

Dangote had visited the country on Thursday and rumours had spread that he could be trapped in the hotel, filled with foreigners.

A group of  10 gunmen hit the hotel at 0700GMT.

However, Anthony Chiejina, spokesman of the multi-billion-dollar businessman, said  Dangote was not in the hotel and he did not even  lodge in any Malian hotel throughout his visit.

Dangote also officially debunked the rumour with a direct tweet of his own:

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