Nigeria’s former minister of aviation and candidate in the 2007 elections for the governorship of the northern state of Bauchi, has reportedly survived an alleged assasination attempt.
According to media reports, 10 men armed with AK-47 assault rifles attacked Yuguda’s compound residence in the capital Abuja on Sunday, in what is believed to have been an assisination attempt ahead of the country’s general elections next year.
Yuguda was at home with about a dozen family members, mostly children, when the attack took place.
Police officer Emmanuel Jonathan said the men were hired killers who threatened him with their rifles to gain entry to the residence. Jonathan sustained a serious wound to his head when he was hit with the butt of a rifle during the attack.
The attackers then scattered after an exchange of gunfire with another police officer.
Several bullet holes were reportedly visible on the walls of the house as well as the gate.
The country is set to hold its general elections in April 2007, and the build-up to elections has been plagued by violence as three politicians have already been killed.
Yuguda is to contend in the 2007 elections under the People’s Democratic Party, and is gunning for governor of Bauchi.
The politician had allegedly received a number of death threats in the past, and said that such behavious had no place in democracy.
Nigerians are said to be fearful of a similar wave of assasiantions that took place in 2003.
In the hits carried out against politicians in 2003, and recently in 2006, no arrests have as yet been made.