Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that four people who allegedly plotted to attack him were arrested by the police in Yola, Adamawa State.

The suspects reportedly confessed to the police that they planned to plant bombs at the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, Atiku's residence, and the American University of Yola.

Atiku said that he would not be intimidated by these threats and that he was committed to continuing his campaign for the presidency.

In a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said,

“We wish to alert the Nigerian public that about 9:44pm on Sunday, 23 July, 2023, a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.

"The man, who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar, was later handed over to the police. Upon further interrogation by the police, the suspect identified himself as 29-year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.

“The suspect also informed the police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested, too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.

We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation. We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief.”

A statement released by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) revealed that the party is convinced that the plot to attack Atiku Abubakar was sponsored by those who are unsettled by his ongoing legal challenge at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

The PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, stated that by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot has the mark of a concerted effort to cause harm to Atiku Abubakar.

Ologunagba said;

“Our party believes that the intent of the sponsors of this evil plot is to silence our presidential candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion and anarchy in the polity.

“The PDP asks, is this foiled attack on Atiku Abubakar and sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa, connected to the recent APC’s threats of chaos and anarchy in the country, if the PEPC upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a candidate in a presidential election can be declared winner?

“Could it also be a plan to orchestrate a sense of insecurity in the country, starting in Adamawa State, the home state of our presidential candidate so as to justify the imposition of a state of emergency in Adamawa State as a precursor to a declaration of a state of emergency throughout the country?

“Our party charges the Inspector General of Police to take the lead provided by the confession of the assailants to track down their sponsors and bring them to book in the interest of the security, unity and wellbeing of our nation.

“The federal government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and, indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly act and their sponsors are brought to book. This particular investigation is important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.

“Our party commends the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State, and security agencies in foiling the attack, while urging Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot.”