Tobias Sylvester
President Muhammadu Buhari has narrated how he narrowly escaped killed in a bomb blast near the Kawo bridge, while travelling to Katsina State in July 2014.
Buhari Recounts Assassination Attempt
Speaking at the newly constructed Kawo bridge executed by the El-Rufai administration, the President said ”there was an attempt to bomb me here… there was a market nearby” but his security escorts were vigilant.
Buhari, who was shaken by the bombing which damaged three vehicles in his convoy and injured three of his aides, said the incident was an assassination attempt.
“I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack along Ali Akilu Road, Kawo-Kaduna at about 2:30pm on my way to Daura,” he wrote on 23 July 2014.
“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 attempted to take advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly detonated the bomb, which destroyed all the three vehicles 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 businesses 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 the hospital and discharged.”
Governor Nasir El-Rufai has remodelled the Kawo bridge and it had become a cynosure, which had attracted many tourists to Kaduna since its completion.
Speaking while commissioning the project, Buhari showered encomiums on El-Rufai for transforming Kaduna city and other towns in the state.
He said that the transformation of Kaduna metropolis was so massive that as a resident of metropolis, he could hardly find his way in the town.
“I have been in Kaduna all the time but can hardly find my way now; you have changed Kaduna. You are writing your history in letters of Gold,” Buhari told the governor while inaugurating the Murtala Muhammad Square.
He commended the governor for committing himself to changing the state, adding that people through out the country were appreciative of his effort.
In his remarks, El-Rufai said the re-modeled Murtala Muhammed Square was first built in the 1970s and handed over to Kaduna state government by the Federal Government.
He said, ”Murtala Mohammed Square has been re-built and re-developed, and is now a multi-functional facility, with five restaurants, small boutique, hotel, sporting facilities, football pitch, swimming pool and polo ground.”
Buhari, who is on a two-day working visit, had earlier inaugurated some projects in Kafanchan town, and is expected in Zaria town on Friday, to inaugurate more projects.
KanyiDaily recalls that Militant leader, Dokubo-Asari had accused Buhari of masterminded his own convoy bombing in order to take over power from former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
