FORMER head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, narrowly escaped
death, on Wednesday, as a vehicle blaring siren tried to intercept his
convoy near Kawo overhead, Kaduna, before it detonated a bomb in the
area.
The development resulted in the death of about 14 persons.
About 27 adherents of the Darika Islamic sect were also feared dead
in Kaduna, when another bomb hidden in a Volkswagen car exploded near
the Murtala Square, in the state capital.
According to a close source, sensing that the strange vehicle could
be dangerous, the last car in the convoy blocked the intruding car
before it exploded, killing traders and other people nearby.
Buhari was on his way to Daura, Katsina State, ahead of the Sallah
celebration scheduled for next week, but some of the security men on his
convoy were seriously injured.
There was pandemonium after the blast, with aggrieved youths hurling stones at security personnel.
The development prompted the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on the state capital.
The bomb attack on Buhari occurred after another bomb had exploded about two hours earlier at the Murtala Square.
Traditionally,
Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi used to attract his adherents in thousands
anytime he rounded up his Ramadan Tafsir at the Murtala Square, but this
year’s event, witnessed by Muslim faithful, mostly of the Darika sect
from across the North, became tragic shortly after Sheikh Bauchi’s
convoy moved on Alkali Road, to connect with Isa Kaita road.
Eyewitness said a red Volkswagen golf car, in which explosive devices
were concealed, which was parked by the roadside, later exploded,
throwing the entire area into confusion.
The explosion only affected last vehicle on the convoy, but others were not so lucky, as they died in the process.
Security operatives and soldiers were seen conveying those who were wounded in the incident for treatment at a nearby hospital.
Effort to reach Sheikh Bauchi failed, as he was said to have been moved to an unknown destination.
The renowned Islamic scholar had been against the activities of the
Boko Haram sect and it was alleged that the sect had planned to kill him
at his Asikolaye residence.
Also, a visit the cleric and others allegedly paid to President
Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja also angered other Islamic sects, who accused
Bauchi of betraying trust.
The police and other security agents had since commenced investigation into the incident.
Jonathan, Tinubu, JNI condemn attack
President Jonathan has condemned the bombings in Kaduna.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media
and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja, said Jonathan denounced “the
dastardly targeting of the prominent political and religious leaders by
terrorists and enemies of the nation.”
While thanking God for sparing the lives of Buhari and Sheikh Bauchi,
the president extended condolences to the families of those who were
killed by the bomb blasts.
Former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, also condemned the multiple bomb attack in Kaduna.
In particular, he reviled the attack which also involved one of the
national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Buhari
and his convoy.
“There can be no justification for the continued loss of innocent
lives and the unending attacks. I call upon those with the power, the
resources, and in charge of the security apparatus of this country to
get up and do something before we all are consumed,” Tinubu said.
Also, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) condemned the attack and called
on all authorities concerned to be more alive to their
responsibilities.
DSS confirms attack
Coordinator of NIC, Mike Omeri, confirmed the incidents, adding that
25 persons were reported dead and 14 others sustained injuries.
It was also reported that the second bomb blast claimed 14 persons.
Spokesperson for the Department of State Security (SSS) and member of
the National Information Centre (NIC), Marylyn Ogar, also confirmed the
incident.
According to her, “it was the second time during the ongoing Ramadan
that Bauchi would be targeted by the terrorists, with the first attack
foiled just a few days into the fasting.”
“I want to tell you that there is no way a vehicle laden with
explosives will drive from Abuja to Kaduna. These people bring in this
thing in tiny components and coupled them before moving them.
“Like in this particular case, the bomb was laden in a J5 and was remotely detonated,” she said.
I was the target —Buhari
“I am personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today (Wednesday) at about 2.30 p.m. on my way to Daura.
“The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a
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 the advantage of
our slowing down and attempted to ram my car, before it 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
littering the ground. Innocent people going about their daily
businesses became victims of the mass murder.
“Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt, but with three of my
security staff members sustaining minor injuries. They have since been
treated in hospital and discharged.”
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