Gunmen yesterday attacked Pres. Muhammadu Buhari’s convoy in Katsina State, killing a few people and injuring two others.
The convoy was an advance team of security guards, protocol and media officers, ahead of Pres. Buhari’s Sallah trip to his hometown – Daura.
The Presidency has confirmed the attack.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Tuesday night said the convoy came under attack near Dutsinma in Katsina State.
The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions and were repelled by operatives of the military, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) accompanying the convoy, he added.
Shehu stated that the injured were receiving treatment while the rest of the convoy made it safely to Daura.
The attack on the President’s advance team is the latest in a series of of attacks by criminals who have continued to terrorize communities in the Northwest and the Middle-Belt regions of the country.
On Wednesday last week, bandits invaded a mining site at Ajata-Aboki in Gurmana Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing some people and abducted others.
Thirteen policemen and civilians reportedly lost their lives in the incident. Four Chinese nationals were among those said to have been kidnapped.
Following reports that about 30 bodies of soldiers – who responded to a distress call on the attack were recovered from the bush – the Nigeria Army said: “a number of personnel paid the supreme price in the fierce firefight that ensued.”
In a related development, bandits, yesterday, ambushed and killed an assistant commissioner of police – ACP Aminu Umar Dayi – in charge of Dutsinma Area Command in Katsina State, following a heavy gun battle.
Also, suspected terrorists, last night, attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. The attack was foiled by security agents.
Read the statement from the Presidency on Tuesday’s attack below:
GALLANT PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS REPEL ATTACK ON ADVANCE TEAM AHEAD OF PRESIDENT’S VISIT
The Presidency has described as sad and unwelcome, the shooting incident near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah.
The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.
Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 5, 2022
