Suspected gunmen have attacked an ‘advance team’ of presidential aides leading to injuries to two people, according to a Presidency official.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, confirmed the shooting in an issued statement yesterday.
Shehu, who described the incident as ‘sad’, said the attack occurred “near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for the Sallah holiday.
“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”, he wrote.
The advance team are believed to have travelled to Katsina to await the trip of the President to the State for the Islamic Eid-el-Kabir, or Sallah, festival.
Katsina is one of the States most affected by banditry. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands kidnapped in the State since President 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 of President Buhari and other government officials.
