Security agents shot a man who attempted to greet the Nigerian President
Abuja, Nigeria – A young man was shot when he attempted to greet and take a selfie with the President in Kebbi State.
The incident happened at the Argungu International Agricultural and Cultural Festival in Kebbi State, north-western Nigeria. President Buhari went to the venue to inspect rice pyramids on display, and while taking photographs with farmers, a young man appeared from nowhere, penetrated through the security forces and rushed toward the president.
His initial intention was not clear, and as a result, the security forces shot him. The operatives of the Department of State Security whisked the man away to an unknown location. Afterwards, the presidency released a statement through the Special Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, that the man was not an attacker, but an enthusiastic fan who attempted to greet his hero and take a selfie with him.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also confirmed that the man was a fan of the president who wasn’t aware that he had crossed the line of security.
Shehu said, “He is an overzealous supporter who wanted to reach the president clearly out of goodwill. He didn’t know the limit and security implication. He didn’t know he was crossing the line of security.”
The official report was disqualified by many who saw the video, including the former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, who argued that the young man was on a mission to attack the President. Fani-Kayode said, “Young man at Argungu attempt to assault Buhari! That was a close shave.
“I don’t know what that young man had in mind but this is the first time I have ever heard of a citizen wanting to ‘greet’ his President by charging at him. He continued.
“Must this Government lie about everything? Must they put a spin on every event? Do they think that we are fools?
“And by the way, if all he wanted to do was to give ‘his President a handshake’ because he was ‘very excited’ to see the president then why did they shoot the poor boy in the leg?”