ABUJA/Nigeria: Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the Federal Government to swiftly investigate the attempted Boko Haram attack on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The incident took place at Atiku Abubakar’s residence in Yola, Adamawa state.
In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, Timi Frank revealed that suspected Boko Haram members made an attempt on the life of Atiku Abubakar on Sunday. The arrested suspect confessed to a grand plot to plant bombs at the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, Atiku’s residence, and the American University in Yola.
According to Frank, the chilling security information stated that about four Boko Haram members traveled from Danboa, Borno State, arriving at the Yola residence of Atiku Abubakar at approximately 9:45 pm local time on the fateful day. Upon confirming their mission, the Dougirei Police command was alerted, leading to the prompt arrest of the ring leader while the rest managed to escape.
Expressing concern over the incident, Frank emphasized the need for enhanced security around the former Vice President. He urged the Federal Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to Atiku Abubakar being targeted by the dreaded terrorist group.
“It is quite shocking that this is coming at a time when the Federal Government had given assurances to the citizens about the decimation of the dreaded group, let alone an attempt on a high-profile personality like H.E Atiku Abubakar,” said Frank.
Frank also called on the international community to take notice of recent political developments in Nigeria. He pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently confirmed Atiku’s victory in 21 states, which may have sent shock waves to the opposition and current government regarding the possibility of a rerun election.
“In light of these developments, we cannot rule out the possibility that top opposition politicians might be behind this plot to assassinate the former VP in a bid to cause chaos and deny him any chance of retrieving his allegedly stolen mandate,” Frank stated, while urging the immediate identification and apprehension of any collaborators or sponsors involved in the sinister plan.
Timi Frank expressed confidence in the Federal Government’s ability to treat the security breach as a matter of national emergency. However, he stressed the urgency of getting to the root of the matter and bringing all accomplices to justice to prevent further untoward reactions towards the government and politicians alike.
