Bomb blasts kill 39 people in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria — Bomb blasts that appeared to target former Nigerian military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and a prominent moderate Muslim cleric killed dozens of people Wednesday, but left both leaders unharmed, Nigerian state security reported.

At least 39 other people were killed in the two blasts, State Police Commissioner Umar Usman Shehu said. The death toll is expected to rise, as witnesses at both bomb sites said dozens of people were killed in each of the blasts.

“The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car,” said Buhari, in a statement issued after the bombings. “I came out unhurt, but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries.”

Buhari leads Nigeria’s leading opposition party, but is not yet a candidate for president as no contenders have been formally declared ahead of 2015 elections.

The other bombing appeared to target Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, who gave an annual Ramadan speech to thousands of faithful in an outdoor service. Bauchi is known for

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preaching against the violent extremism of Nigeria’s Islamic militants, Boko Haram.

“They were waiting for him,” said police commissioner Shehu of the boy who threw a bomb at the sheik. “It’s when he was passing the boy headed to him.”