Jonathan escapes mob attack in Katsina

President Goodluck Jonathan escaped a major incident in Katsina on Tuesday as hundreds of people carrying brooms, the symbol of All Progressives Congress (APC), made to attack his convoy.

Soldiers and anti-riot police officers fired teargas to disperse the crowd who were shouting “Sai Buhari” and calling Jonathan “arna” (“unbeliever”).

Jonathan’s opponent in the presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari, is from Daura, Katsina state.

Jonathan had gone to see Hajia Dada, mother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua whom Jonathan succeeded when he died in 2010.

As he left the residence, the crowd began to surge towards his convoy, but the security agencies quickly fired teargas into the air.

This allowed the convoy to speed past on its way to the Katsina airport, but the crowd then began to throw stones.

There were no reports of injury.

Namadi Sambo, the vice-president, Adamu Mu’azu, national chairman of PDP and Ibrahim Shema, governor of Katsina state, were in the convoy.

They were in the state for their campaign.