The Presidency last night confirmed gunmen attack on the convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s advance team to Katsina.
The Presidency also said that two persons, who sustained injuries as a result of the attack, were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
President Buhari is expected to be in Katsina, his home state, on Friday to observe the sallah festival.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, read: “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.”
“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,” he wrote.
The advance team are believed to have traveled to Katsina to await the trip of Buhari to the state for the Islamic Eid-el-Kabir festival.
Katsina is one of the states most affected by banditry. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands kidnapped in the state since Buhari, who is from the state, assumed office.
Apart from Katsina, other states that have suffered from similar attacks include Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna.
The attacks have continued despite the repeated promises by Buhari and other government officials.
Following is Shehu’s full statement titled “Gallant Presidential Guards Repel Attack On Advance Team Ahead Of Presidential 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)”
Vanguard / Premium Times
