President Buhari Reveals How He Escaped Bomb Explosion In Kaduna

During his two-day official visit to Kaduna State on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) inaugurated projects carried out by Governor Nasir el-Rufai amid tight security.

The President, who arrived at 11:45 a.m. from Kafanchan in the state’s Jema’a Local Government Area, inaugurated the reconstructed multi-purpose Murtala Mohammed Square.

In addition, while inaugurating the Kawo bridge, the President recalled how, while traveling to Katsina in July 2014, he was nearly bombed near the bridge.

Buhari said, “They wanted to blow me (up). But my escort somehow stopped them. Before we came to this bridge, they became so desperate and there was a small market or something like that here.

“They exploded the device (bomb). God protected us and here I am again. Thank you very much, Your Excellency, and remarkably, you became my governor. I don’t think I have any input (in your becoming the governor).

“Zainab Ahmed also became my minister of finance. I didn’t know she is a daughter of a gentleman I respect and go to his house. This is a fabulous coincidence and I thank God for it. Therefore, I have taken your loyalty for granted.”

Earlier, while inaugurating an ultra-modern sports and shopping complex in Kaduna’s Murtala Square, President Muhammadu Buhari lavished praise on el-Rufai, saying that the governor was writing his name in “history in gold letters” because of the commendable projects carried out under his state’s urban renewal program.

Despite his origins in Daura, Katsina State, the President claims there is a chance he will remain in Kaduna after he must have left office in 2023.

Buhari congratulated el-Rufai, saying he had done an excellent job of modernizing the state.

Meanwhile, the President has promised the people of Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna that an Air Force facility might be established in the area to strengthen security in the state’s southern region.

Buhari made the remarks shortly after the official inauguration of four township roads built by the Kaduna State Government in Kafanchan town, at the palace of the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu.

The President also stated that the government will look into modernizing the Kafanchan railway station in order to increase rail and commercial activity in the region.

The Emir, who praised the President and governor for guaranteeing peace, security, and infrastructure development in his domain, noted that Kafanchan has long been renowned as a reputable commercial center in southern Kaduna.

The king also asked for an Air Force installation in Kafanchan to help bolster the region’s current security network.