If there’s anything remarkable about Nigeria’s problems under the Buhari administration, it’s that anything can land at anybody’s doorstep at any time; anybody can collect when they least expect it.
And with insecurity being one of the country’s biggest problems, even the president isn’t too big to have a taste.
What happened?
On July 5th, 2022, a group of terrorists attacked the presidential convoy near Dutsinma in Katsina State. But President Buhari was missing from the party because the convoy was actually transporting an advance team for the president’s imminent trip to his native Daura to celebrate Sallah. The convoy consisted of security guards and protocol/media officers of the presidency.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the terrorists were waiting for the convoy where the attack happened. They opened fire on the convoy and this turned into a gunfight with presidential security personnel. A joint force of soldiers, police officers and agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) contained the attack.
What’s the damage?
Fortunately, nobody died. Two people in the presidential convoy sustained minor injuries and have been treated, while everyone else made it safely to Daura where the president will join them later. The presidency didn’t say if security operatives killed or wounded any of the attackers.
What’s the exposure here?
Despite the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, Buhari has stuck to the claim that it isn’t much of a big deal compared to when he was inaugurated in 2015. In his May 2022 statement marking the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, the president said the battle against terrorists was approaching its end — a worn-out claim he’s used repeatedly since 2015.
It’s custom for President Buhari to spend Sallah in his native Daura. The terrorists definitely knew this, and the fact that they deliberately ambushed his convoy speaks volumes that even the president’s ears shouldn’t miss. But that’s being optimistic.
When he eventually lands in Daura, days from now, for the Sallah celebrations, Buhari should take the time to reflect on his inaccurate claims about how much more secure Nigeria has become under his administration. Because even the people paid to protect his life aren’t safe from the madness.
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