By Seyi Babalola
A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate attempted Boko Haram attack on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, all through the active years of the Boko Haram sect ravaging the North-East, not a single attempt was made on the person of Atiku, adding that the timing of the planned attack has aroused curiosity and suspicion.
While demanding that security should be beefed up around Atiku, he called on the international community to the development in Nigeria.
The political activist revealed that some suspected Boko Haram members made attempt on the life of Atiku Abubakar on Sunday at his residence in Yola, Adamawa state.
Frank in a statement said the arrested suspect confessed to Police a grand plot to plant bomb at the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, the residence of Atiku as well as the American University in Yola.
He said, “Security information has it that about four Boko Haram members all the way from Danboa, Borno State made their way at about 9:45pm local time on Sunday July 24 2023 to the Yola residence of His Excellency, the Waziri Adamawa (Atiku Abubakar) and identified themselves upon confirmation of the residence as to their mission in Adamawa.
“Reacting swiftly, the Dougirei Police command was immediately tipped off as the ring leader was promptly arrested with the rest fleeing from the premises.
“Upon investigation by the SCID Adamawa State Police HQ, it was verified and confirmed that the suspect confessed to a grand plot to plant bombs in the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, the residence of the Waziri as well as the American University in Yola.
“These confessions of the dreaded Boko Haram sect are troubling and worrisome, as this is the first time an attempted attack of this magnitude would be planned on the person of HE Atiku Abubakar.
“It is quite shocking that this is coming at a time the Federal Government had given assurance to the citizens of the decimation of the dreaded group, let alone an attempt on a high profile personality like H.E Atiku Abubakar.
“Having received the official Police HQ Situation Report, we would like to call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency beef up adequate security around the former Vice President, with swift investigation into unraveling the circumstances leading to Atiku as a target by this group.
“There is no gainsaying that it will be foolhardy on the part of the Federal Government to treat this security breach with kid gloves as after effects in the event of any eventuality will be enormous for the country to contain.
“Furthermore, we must note that all through the active years of the Boko Haram sect ravaging the North-East, not a single attempt was made on the person of H.E Atiku Abubakar, and we are curious as to the timing of this planned attack in this manner.”
He, however, called on international community “to take notice, that only recently the INEC confirmed in the PEPT on HE winning in 21 states and therefore sending shock waves to the opposition and current government on the possibility of a rerun election.
“Perhaps this grand plot is being sponsored by top opposition politicians to assassinate the former VP in a bid to cause chaos and deny him any chance of retrieving his stolen mandate. We are therefore circumspect in this regard.
“Therefore, any collaborators or sponsor of this dastardly ideas must be fished out forthwith to forestall any untoward reactions towards the FG and rogue politicians alike. Nonetheless, it is imperative for the FG to immediately get to the root of this matter urgently with a view to bringing all accomplices to book.
“I am confident that the Federal Government will take this security breach as a matter of national emergency.”
