Nigeria: bomb blasts target politician, Muslim cleric in Kaduna

By Dustin M Braden - 23 Jul '14 19:11PM

Boko Haram marked the 100 day anniversary since they kidnapped more than 200 school girls from a Nigerian village with two separate bomb attacks that targeted an ex-president and a moderate Muslim cleric.

Reuters reports that the deadlier attack was on ex-president Muhammadu Buhari. A car loaded with explosives collided with Buhari's convoy, detonating the explosives and killing 50 people. Buhari survived because he was traveling in an armored and bullet proof vehicle.

Images of the vehicle appeared on social media shortly after the attack.

Photo-Speak Nigerias main opposition leader General Buharis car after failed asssaination attempt in Kaduna #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/O8MDm6aFKY

— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) July 23, 2014

Picture of General Buhari's vehicle attacked where 3 aids were injured today in Kaduna. PDP is working #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/WbafODfWZo — Optimistic Muhammed (@trueNija) July 23, 2014

Buhari a prominent opposition politician who is still active in politics. It is not entirely clear why Buhari was targeted.

The attack on the moderate Muslim cleric, took place as thousands of his followers gathered in a large square to here him speak. That attack left 32 people dead. The bomber was stopped by the cleric's private security before he could get close enough to kill his target.

Both attacks took place in the city of Kaduna, which has been put under a 24-hour curfew indefinitely.

Images on social media also showed what appeared to be a suspect in one of the blasts being apprehended by Nigerian authorities.

Him/Her.. I dnt Think Its Female "@Zahra3_: A suspect of the #KadunaBombBlast was arrested. pic.twitter.com/rrQ8leQnbs"

— #PrayForGaza (@Mss_Biee) July 23, 2014

Other images documented the destruction.