By Akinwale Kasali
Timi Frank, a political activist has urged the Federal Government to urgently investigate an attempted Boko Haram attack on the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
The Social Commentator also urged the Federal Government to beef up security around the former Vice President, and called the attention of the international community to the development in Nigeria.
Frank disclosed that some suspected Boko Haram members made an attempt on the life of Abubakar on Sunday at his residence in Yola, Adamawa State.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Frank said the arrested suspect confessed to Police a grand plot to plant a bomb at the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, the residence of the Atiku as well as the American University of Nigeria, AUN, in Yola, Adamawa State Capital.
The statement reads:
“Security information reaching us earlier today has it on authority that about 4 Boko Haram members, all the way from Danboa, Borno State made their way at about 9:45pm local time yesterday (23/07/2023) 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.”
Narrating the incident further, Frank said: “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 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 called on International Community “to take notice, that only recently the INEC confirmed at 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 rougue 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.”
