The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Saturday, escaped assassination attempt, as members of the Muslim sect, Shiites allegedly attacked his convoy in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Seven persons reportedly lost their lives in the clash between soldiers attached to Buratai’s convoy and the Shiite Muslim sect.
This came as President Muhammadu Buhari was a guest in Kaduna today, to grace the Kaduna Music Festival, as well as received a honorary award given him by the Kaduna State University (KASU), at its convocation ceremony.
The Shiite sect on the orders of their leader, Ibrahim Alzak-zaky, has attacked the convoy of Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, in Kaduna state.
According to the official statement, made by Colonel Sani Usman, the director of army public relations, the attack took place while Buratai was on his way to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria.
“The sect numbering hundreds carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects.
“The barricade was obviously a deliberate attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff and members of his entourage while on a legitimate official assignment as Special Guest of Honour at the passing out parade which has earlier been widely publicized.