Kogi Explosion Was Targeted At Buhari – ISWAP Terrorists Claim Responsibility For Attack

The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the recent explosion in Kogi State.

According to the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the explosion was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari, who was expected in the area that day.

Naija News had earlier reported that there was an explosion close to the old palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland  which left three persons dead and two others injured.

President Buhari was expected to inaugurate some legacy projects by Governor Yahaya Bello on Thursday, December 29, before the explosion was heard before the Nigerian leader’s arrival.

Despite the tension President Buhari arrived in the state and went on with the project commissioning.

A statement, however, reportedly released by ISWAP in the new year said the attack was carried out by “soldiers of the caliphate.”

The terror group claimed in the statement sighted on SaharaReporters, that a car bomb was used and its target was the President who was visiting the area.

Naija News understands that it was not the first time the terrorist group was claiming responsibility for attacks in Kogi State.

Some recent attacks claimed by the ISWAP terrorists in Kogi include an explosion on May 11 at a bar in the Lewu Junction area of Kabba town. It could be recalled that the explosion claimed three lives, but 16 persons were affected.

Subsequently, another explosion happened at a bar in the town, in Kabbah-Bunu Local Government Area. Also in June 2022, the terrorists claimed responsibility for the explosion that led to the death of two persons during an annual festival in the Idoji area of Okene in Kogi.

The group also said it was responsible for the attack on two Nigerian government vehicles in the Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State a few days later.

Subsequently, on October 18, the group said its fighters invaded a Celestial Church, Blood of Jesus Parish in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, killing two persons and injuring several others.