President Buhari Inaugurates Bridge Where He Escaped Assassination By Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a bridge in Kaduna, where he was nearly assassinated by Boko Haram militants.
The President, who was running for office at the time, got caught in an explosion in the crowded Kawu market area.

Although he escaped unharmed, his car, a Toyota Land Cruiser, and the one behind it were severely damaged, according to accounts at the time.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai remembered the event during the inauguration of the Kawu Bridge on Thursday.

“It is my great honor and privilege, Mr. President, to bring you to the Kawu Flyover.  Mr. President will recall this bridge very well because it was just under this bridge that Boko Haram tried to kill you,” Governor El-Rufai said at the event.

By the grace of God, you are still alive. He said: “You are with us, and God preserved you so that you will lead us and inspire us to do some of what we are doing.”

In his response, Buhari, who is on a two-day visit to the northwest state to commission several projects, thanked God for saving his life.

He recalled the terrorists’ actions. “They wanted to blow me but my escort somehow stopped them”.

In his words, “I have lived in Kaduna for many years; I am very much aware of this route. I do not recall how much I crossed it and you told me how there was an attempt on my life on this route,”

Apart from the commissioning, Buhari also paid a visit to the palace of Alhaji Muhammadu Isa 11, the Emir of Jama’a, where he reaffirmed his commitment to combating insecurity.

According to him, his administration has made significant progress in combating instability in the northeast.

“If Nigerians want to be fair to this administration, they should find out what we campaigned for in 2015 and 2019. The security situation then, where we are now, and what we hope to hand over in 2023.”

“If you want an honest report, try and ask people from the northeast, especially from Borno State,” he said.

Buhari stated that he is hopeful of handing over a better Nigeria than the one he inherited.