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.”
culled www.tribune.com.ng
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