The Presidency says those involved Tuesday’s attack on the advanced convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari did not sustain life threatening injuries as being speculated.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina made the declaration at the end of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting chaired by the Nigerian leader.
He said: “You know, when a President travels almost anywhere in the world, there will be an advanced team. That was the advanced team that was going to Daura.
“The President himself is billed to travel to Senegal this afternoon (Wednesday) for an international conference, he will return to Abuja tomorrow, and thereafter proceed to his hometown, Daura for, Sallah, so it was the advanced team that was going ahead made up of security, protocol, media transport, all the departments that have one or two things to do with the President’s stay and comfort were the ones going ahead.
“So shortly before they go to their destination, around Dutsinma area, you know, that place is awash with banditry. So, it was said that some group of bandits came out of the forest and engaged them.
“Only two people were injured in the presidential convoy, one protocol person and one other lady. They were taken to an orthopedic hospital and I’m sure they have been attended to.
“It was not said to be a life threatening wound. But maybe the Katsina police command will give further reports which will be more on the spot then what you can say from Abuja here.
“But what we are glad about is that it happened but then no lives were lost on the side of members of the presidential convoy.”
Adesina said the gallant soldiers and other security personnel on the trip successfully repelled the attack.
“Of course, a presidential convoy will have soldiers, it will have police, it will have DSS different kinds of security men. So, there was a pitched battle and they successfully repelled the bandits who eventually had to run away”, Adesina added.
The Presidential spokesman, also justified President Buhari’s trip to Senegal to participate at the summit of the International Development Association (IDA) for Africa in Dakar, Senegal.
State House journalists had wanted to know the rationale for proceeding on the engagement, considering the attacks on his advanced team at Dutsinma, close to Katsina, in Katsina state, the death of the outgoing Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Barkindo, who he described as “ a worthy ambassador of the country” .
This is also as Kuje, the last city and major gateway into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), came under severe attacks, with the deadly Boko Haram inmates were released by the terrorists
But Adesina, defending Buhari’s trip, insisted that he should attend.
“You should never give in to terrorists. The moment terrorists, begin to stop you from doing things, then we might as well throw up our hands in surrender. The President should go ahead. Yes, it’s an international obligation” he said.
