How terrorists tried to kill me in Kaduna, by Buhari

• Commissions three road projects, others
President Muhammadu Buhari has recounted the attempt by terrorists on his life in 2014, when he was travelling from Kaduna to Katsina, his hometown.

While commissioning some projects executed by the Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s administration, yesterday, Buhari recalled how he narrowly escaped being bombed near Kawo Bridge in Kaduna.

“There was an attempt to bomb me here and there was a market nearby,” he said, adding that his security escorts were vigilant.

During the Kaduna visit, the President also commissioned ultra modern sports and shopping complexes at Murtala Mohammed Square, where he reiterated the likelihood of his staying in Kaduna after leaving office.

He added; “If you had not been in Kaduna for sometime now, surely you would miss your road home just like me. El-Rufai has really changed the face of this state.

“I relocated to Kaduna after serving my jail term in the 1980s from Daura. I cannot find my way home with the current development.”

The President also commissioned some projects in Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna, and more projects are scheduled for commissioning in Zaria today.

He commissioned three road projects in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a Local Council, including Katsina Road, Dan Haya Road and Emir Palace Road, constructed under the Kafanchan Urban Renewal Project of the state government.

Under the project, 21 roads totalling 26.3km were reconstructed, expanded or dualised in Kafanchan, at N12.8 billion.

Buhari pledged the Federal Government’s resolve to continue to initiate programmes that would impact on ordinary Nigerians.

In his welcome address, the Emir of Jama’a, Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, appealed to the President to use his exalted office in attracting more federal presence to Southern Kaduna, especially the reviving of the Kafanchan rail track and the siting of a permanent mobile police base in Kafanchan.

El-Rufai also recalled how Boko Haram tried to kill Buhari around the Kawu Bridge, in Kaduna, during his campaign in 2014.

Although he escaped unhurt, the Toyota Land Cruiser he rode in and another one behind it were badly damaged.

The governor said: “Mr. President would recall this bridge very well because it was just under this bridge that Boko Haram tried to kill you. By the grace of God, you are still alive, you are with us and God preserved you so that you will lead us and inspire us to do some of what we are doing.”