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Prime Minister Chretien Allegedly Pepper Sprays and Strangles Nigerian Gunman
Sunday, April 7, 2002 - Abuja, Nigeria
While Chretien put on a brave face, as his motorcade came under gunfire, conflicting reports about the incident are arriving from Nigeria this weekend.
"The visiting statesman demanded we stop the vehicle, despite the gunfire," recalled Mujama Halulu, a motorcade security guard, "and the Canadian officer accompanying him strongly urged him not to do so."
Some reports indicated that Chretien grabbed a weapon from one of the guards and immediately returned fire in the direction of the attack.
"He was like a mad-man Rambo," Halulu said, "I was surprised to see a Westerner with such courage, especially an elderly dignitary."
Another report indicated that a wounded rebel soldier came away from his position appearing to surrender to Chretien. At this point it was unclear whether Chretien tackled the soldier to the ground and began strangling him, and whether or not he used pepper spray to further restrain the soldier.
A spokesperson for the group claiming responsibility for the attack released a short statement regarding the incident. Portions were released by the Nigerian Government late Sunday.
"While we are happy that some attention has come to our cause, we will certainly be careful in the future about attacking a Canadian dignitary. We had no idea they were so fearsome."
The Prime Minister's Office did not return our telephone calls concerning the alleged incident.
