Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari receives a phone call from Katsina state Governor Aminu Bello Masari who is briefing him on the rescue mission of the abducted students of the Government Science Secondary School, in Daura, Nigeria in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on December 17, 2020. Nigeria Presidency/Handout via REUTERS
BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau for “surviving” the attempted coup in the latter’s country.
Buhari, who condemned the attempted coup, commended the “loyal troops” in Guinea-Bissau for the show of patriotism leading to their “spectacular victory over the disloyal elements of the military”.
On Tuesday, gunshots were heard near the presidential palace in Bissau, capital of the country.
Soldiers were said to have surrounded the building where Embaló was reportedly attending a cabinet meeting.
Speaking on the development at a media briefing on Tuesday evening, the Guinea-Bissau president said the coup plotters wanted to “kill him and wipe out his entire cabinet”.
He said the attackers tried to enter the building but were repelled, and assured citizens of the country that calm had been restored.
In a statement on Wednesday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, said Buhari spoke with Embaló on Tuesday evening.
According to the statement, Buhari “condemned the attempt to subvert the established constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and extended the goodwill and support of the government and people of Nigeria to the Guinea-Bissauans and the Embalo administration”.
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between our sisterly nations, and the defence and promotion of democracy and its values throughout the sub region, and the entire continent,” Buhari was quoted as saying.
On his part, Embaló was said to have assured Buhari that the situation had been brought under control and that “all is well, and normalcy fully restored”.
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