President narrowly escapes mob at Abuja Prayer Ground

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July 17, 2015 2:14 PM

Buhari disclosed this himself while admitting that his heavy security detail is incapable of completely protecting him from harm.

President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, July 17, 2015, narrowly escaped being mobbed at a prayer ground along Airport Road in Abuja.

The President made the comments while speaking to members of the Muslim community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who paid him a courtesy visit in commemoration of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Buhari said:

“I thank you most sincerely for fulfilling the tradition of greetings for whoever occupies this place. I thank you very much for your loyalty to the country, as represented by our institutions and to the system.”

“Today, during and immediately after the prayers, I think I was bombarded by the youths who almost overwhelmed the security, and I had to hold tight to my gown to get to my car.”

“I was advised to enter the car from the ADC side and I refused. I went across trying to wave my hand to the wild youths who wanted to see me. On an occasion like this, it shows that after what happened to President Ronald Reagan of the USA, it is only God Almighty that protects leaders because in a mob like this, anybody with a sharp knife can get access and do a lot of damage.”

“So, all the policemen that were deployed and soldiers since six o’ clock in the morning, before I came out two hours later in the rains, cannot protect you, only God protects. I hope God will continue to protect us.”

Former US President, Reagan was shot in the chest and the lower right arm on March 30, 1981, 69 days into his presidency, after a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

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Watch video of Buhari's inaugural speech below:

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