Boko Haram’s Attempt to Kill Buhari Leaves 40 Dead

Not less than 40 persons were confirmed dead yesterday by the police after two bomb blasts, one allegedly targeted at General Muhammadu Buhari, former head of State, and the other on Dahiru Bauchi, an Islamic cleric, exploded in Kaduna metropolis.

Buhari, in a statement after the blasts, said he was the target.

And President Goodluck Jonathan, in his immediate reaction, condemned the incidents, describing them as dastardly targeted at prominent leaders.

An eyewitness account stated that more than 50 persons might have lost their lives to the two bloody incidents.

Buhari, a retired major general in the Nigerian Army and a former military ruler of Nigeria from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985, was on his way to Daura, his home town in Katsina State, for the Sallah celebration when one of the bombs exploded while his convoy was passing through Kawo in Kaduna North Local Government Area of the metropolis.

More than five cars were affected in the blast, including those in Buhari’s  convoy.

Buhari said that “I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today at about 2:30pm on my way to Daura. The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car, but was blocked by escort vehicle.

“We reached the market area of Kawo where he took advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly detonated the bomb which destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.

“Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle, I saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business who became victims of mass murder.

“Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt, but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries. They have since been treated in hospital and discharged.”

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in his reaction said, “Buhari cautioned Jonathan against impunity. Two days later, Boko Haram responded to this by bombing Buhari’s convoy. Are these the Snipers at work? And who are they working for? It does not take a genius to know.

“May Allah expose all the purveyors of evil and division, destroy their agenda and defeat them in their war against our citizens, Amen.”

A statement by the state government signed by Mallam Ahmed Maiyake, director general Media and Publicity to Kano state governor, condemned the bomb blasts, describing the act as the height of ‘cowardice’ by those bent on creating tension in the state.

“Following the unfortunate situation, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Kaduna metropolis with immediate effect, to enable security agencies restore normalcy,” it stated.

The governor said the blasts were clear manifestation of the resolve by ‘agents of darkness’ to soak the land with blood of innocent people for no just cause.

He said “enemies of peace have visited us with their ungodly venom of wanton destruction of human lives. These blasts, coming in the Holy Month of Ramadan, are a clear indication that those behind the act have no iota of fear of God as they have no regard for the sanctity of human lives.”

It stated that despite the success recorded in the security in Kaduna State, it is obvious that more still needs to be done to ensure safety of our people at all times and in all places.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the bombings.

In a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the president denounced the dastardly act targeting prominent political and religious leaders by terrorists and enemies of the nation in an odious attempt to inflame passions and exacerbate disquiet, fear, insecurity and sectional divisions in the country.