Burundi army chief escapes assassination attempt, 7 killed

The head of Burundi's armed forces on Friday survived an assassination attempt in the capital Bujumbura, police said, adding that at least seven other people were killed in the attack, according to News 24.

"There was an attack against the armed forces chief, General Prime Niyongabo, but happily he was unharmed," Burundi's deputy police chief, General Godefroid Bizimana said.

He said two attackers were killed in the clash, and a third arrested. Another senior police source said four bodyguards were also killed, as well as a female police officer.

"Reinforcements have arrived. We are pursuing the remainder of the commandos," Bizimana.

Another senior police source, who asked not to be named, said the attack appeared to have been "meticulously prepared".

Source: MENA