‘Distressed’ Buhari Cancels Trip For Burial Of Close Friend, Mourns Victims Of Bandits’ Attack In Sokoto

President Muhammadu Buhari will not attend the burial of his close friend and former Chief of Army Staff, General Muhammadu Inuwa Wushishi, who was laid to rest in Niger State on Wednesday, THE WHISTLER has learnt.

The President has also revealed he was “distressed” by the manner bandits killed some travelers in Sokoto.

No details was provided why the president failed to pay the last respect to a man he’s said to hold in high regards, but a source said it may not be unconnected with the poor state of security in the state.

Terrorist group, the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, Boko Haram and bandits have found Niger State a safe haven to carry out their operations and have taken over more than 12 communities, several reports say.

The terrorist groups are said to be collecting taxes and installing community leaders in a show of total control.

They have carried out raids on farmlands, kidnapped many high profile people including over 23 people in one fell swoop few months ago.

The state governor and state officials have called for adequate security to stem the tide.

While the president’s itinerary was not made public, it was however revealed that adequate plan was made for attendance and return to Abuja immediately.

According to the source, the President was personally interested in attending the burial as a show of force while also honouring a personal friend and colleague in the Army.

Instead, a hurried arrangement was made for the president to be represented by the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (Rtd).

But a source at the Presidential Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power, revealed that there was a plan for the president to attend the burial rite but no explanation was given as to why he shelved the idea.

Instead the president was seen holding a virtual federal executive council meeting.

While the president’s Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, failed to reply to enquiries, a statement signed by him confirmed the president’s non-attendance.

The statement said a letter was written to Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Governor of Niger State, personally signed by Buhari.

The president was quoted in the letter as describing General Wushishi “as a thoroughbred professional soldier, an officer and a gentleman whose contributions to the fatherland are immeasurable.

“He had a distinguished military career and we are proud of his impressive service to the country. He was an epitome of discipline and dedication to service, and a role model for both the officers and the rank and file,” the statement said.

The delegation included the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity) Garba Shehu and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mohammad Nami.

Meanwhile the president expressed shock at the attack carried out on innocent travellers in Sokoto State.

Speaking through his spokesman, Buhari said, “I am very distressed at the manner of death visited on these hapless citizens who were undertaking a legitimate journey to another part of the country.

“It shows that the evil this administration is confronting is one that requires the support and involvement of all Nigerians.”

Terrorists had last Monday attacked a bus carrying 42 passengers and set it on fire.

While this was not the first time terrorists had attacked the state, the manner of the latest attack sent shock waves across the country.

Reports say the terrorists have been appointing village heads and collecting taxes in many villages in the troubled state of Sokoto unimpeded.

In late October, one high profile attack led to the killing of over 60 persons while raids on communities, farmlands, markets, travellers and religious houses can no longer be counted due to the frequency of occurrence.