How I was attacked by gunmen - Gen Buhari

Former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, has narrated how he narrowly escaped a bomb attack on his convoy today in Kaduna.

In a short statement, Mr. Buhari told Premium Times that he was the prime target of the bomber.

“I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today along Ali Akilu Road, Kawo-Kaduna at about 2:30pm on my way to Daura,” Mr. Buhari said.

“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 my 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,” Mr. Buhari said.

The former leader said when he came down from his vehicle, he saw many dead bodies littered around.

“They were innocent people going about their daily business who became victims of mass murder,” he said.

The attack on Mr Buharu followed an earlier blast in Kaduna Wednesday targeting a senior Islamic cleric, Dahiru Bauchi. Mr. Bauchi also escaped unhurt, but police said 25 people died.

The spokesperson of Mr. Buhari’s All Progressive Congress, [APC], Lai Mohammed, also said the explosion was targeted at the former head of state.

“Yes, his convoy was attacked,” Mr. Mohammed said in response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry. “He narrowly escaped but some of his aides were hurt. The General is ok, but perhaps traumatised.”

A loyalist of Mr. Buhari, Rotimi Fashakin, said the former head of state was on his way to his home town – Daura in neighbouring Katsina state – when he was trailed by the bomber and attacked.

“I’m sure political Boko Haram are behind the attack,” Mr. Fashakin said. “General Buhari was the target of the attack.”

The leader of a pro-Buhari pressure group, The Buhari Vanguard, Jasper Azuatalam, said the former Nigerian leader was possibly attacked over his recent criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Recall that two days ago, Gen Muhammadu Buhari issued a statement warning President Jonathan and his government on their attempt to muscle the opposition and endanger Nigeria,” Mr. Azuatalam said. “The Presidency raised an eyebrow to the statement.”

Governor Muktar Yero has announced a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna metropolis