Four suspects arrested as PDP demands probe of attempted terror attack
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Four suspects have been arrested over the failed terror attack on the residence of Atiku Abubakar in Yola at the weekend, widely seen as an attempted assassination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate by sponsored agents.
The PDP has urged the security agencies to beef up security around Atiku and members of his family.
Both Atiku and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) are seeking the nullification of the election of Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), describing it as a “stolen mandate” which must be retrieved to ensure justice in the land.
In turn, Tinubu has warned of possible anarchy if his mandate is legally overturned.
The PDP expressed alarm over the foiled attack on Atiku and other locations in Yola, according to Vanguard.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba expressed suspicion the attack could be part of a larger plot to frustrate its move to reclaim its “stolen” presidential mandate.
“The PDP insists that by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot has the pawmarks of a sponsored attempt on the life of Atiku Abubakar, ostensibly by forces who are unsettled by his bid to retrieve his mandate at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC),” Ologunagba said in a statement.
“Our Party believes that the intent of the sponsors of this evil plot is to silence our presidential candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion and anarchy in the polity.”
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PDP asks, is foiled attack part of a larger plot?
“The PDP asks, is this foiled attack on Atiku Abubakar and sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa connected to the recent APC’s threats of chaos and anarchy in the country, if the PEPC upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a candidate in a presidential election can be declared winner?
“Could it also be a plan to orchestrate a sense of insecurity in the country, starting in Adamawa State, the home state of our presidential candidate so as to justify the imposition of a state of emergency in Adamawa State as a precursor to a declaration of a State of Emergency throughout the country?
“Our party charges the Inspector General of Police to take the lead provided by the confession of the assailants to track down their sponsors and bring them to book in the interest of the security, unity and wellbeing of our nation.
“The federal government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly act and their sponsors are brought to book.
“This particular investigation is important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.
“The PDP also calls on security agencies to tighten security around Atiku Abubakar and members of his family at this critical time in our democratic process.
“Our party commends the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State and security agencies in foiling the attack while urging Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot.”
Atiku hails security operatives over arrest of attempted attackers
Atiku commended the security agencies for foiling what would have been an attack on his residence by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, per reporting by Vanguard.
“We wish to alert the Nigerian public that at about 9:44 pm on Sunday, 23 July, 2023 a man seeking to confirm the residence of … Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence,” Atiku Media Office recounted in a statement.
“The man who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar was later handed over to the police.
“Upon further interrogation by the police, the suspect identified himself as a 29 year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.
“The suspect also informed the police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.
“All four suspects have been handed over to military authorities. We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation. We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief.”
