President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, hailed what he called the heroism and unbowed spirit of Nigerians in the face of the explosions with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Alhaji Bala Mohammed offering free medical treatment to victims of the blasts.
Presidential aspirants – General Ibrahim Babangida, Gov. Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole; Governor Muazu Aliyu of Niger State, and the ruling PDP joined others in condemning the brains behind the explosions.
In the police team with the IGP are the commissioner in charge of Special Investigations Unit, Mr. Ali Amodu; his counterpart in charge of Police Bomb Disposal Unit, Mr. Chris Olakpe; FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Haruna John; CP Anti-Terrorist Unit, Mr. Shinaba; and DCP Akeremale of Force Armament.
As part of the investigations, the FCT Police Commissioner, yesterday issued a Stop and Search order on vehicles coming into and going out of Abuja . The search is to spread to all the nooks and crannies of thr FCT while all broken down vehicles are to be screened and removed from the city’s roads.
It was gathered yesterday that the death toll has risen to 14 with two of the severely injured victims dying at the National Hospital and the Maitama General hospital late on Friday.
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An SSS operative who was rushed to the hospital was said to be in a critical condition. An Assistant Director of the Department of State Security was among those killed when the bombs went off on Friday.
A security source said foreign involvement could not be ruled out for now even with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, claiming responsibility.
The Defence Intelligence Agency, the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Security, were given the marching orders by President Jonathan to put all their resources together with a view to unraveling those behind the calamity.
“It is because of these international dimensions to the investigation, and the need to break through barriers quickly if need be, that the IGP is personally involved in the investigation and no stone will be left unturned to get to the root of this matter”, he said.
Speaking on the blasts when he visited the scene on Shehu Shagari way, Police Affairs minister, Alhaji Maina Waziri said, ‘in this time of adversity it is desirable that all Nigerians pray that God intervenes to bring this irritation to an end”.
“We must allow the security agencies a very conducive atmosphere for them to get to the root of this thing. They need the cooperation of the media; they should not be put under pressure. They must be allowed the latitude, mentally and psychologically, to display the expertise for which government has spent a lot of money to train and equip them.”
On whether the incident was an act of terrorism, Waziri said, “I think if we are patient enough the people that have got the knowledge and wherewithal will give you additional details. However, bomb blast is not a tea party. It is definitely an act of terrorism.
Jonathan hails Nigerians’ heroism
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday hailed the heroism and unbowed spirit of Nigerians in the face of the Abuja bomb blast.
In a statement, the Director, Media and Publicity Committee, Jonathan/Sambo Campaign organization, Mr. Sully Abu said the President noted that the perpetrators of the evil act failed woefully on all counts, adding, “the event went on gloriously until the end; there was no panic at all in the immediate environment of the ceremony and more importantly, Nigerians have remained calm, high in spirit and resilience, despite the anxiety caused by the loss of lives and property.”
“The bomb blast brought out the best in the Nigerian people; the security services rose gallantly to the occasion while the people, in the usual characteristic of the Nigerian habit of selfless service, gave their helping hand, in large numbers, to the rescue efforts.
And answering reporters’ questions after visiting some survivors at the National Hospital yesterday, the President said the bomb attacks had nothing to do with the Niger Delta, pointing out the perpetrators were merely using the name of MEND as a cover for terrorist activities.
The President had pointed out that no one could claim to be more Niger Deltan than himself, and for this reason, it is extremely odd that any one could claim to have exploded bombs and killed innocent citizens at a time a Niger Deltan is in charge of the nation in a presidency that is merely four months old.
FCT Minister orders free medical treatment for bomb victims
Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed has directed that all those who were injured in Friday’s bomb blasts be given free, qualitative and adequate medical treatment.
The FCT Minister gave the directive on Friday evening after going round on an inspection of the scene of the explosion and the various hospitals where the injured are receiving treatment. He condemned the bombing as unfortunate and wicked. He said: “It is very devastating and we never expected it. This type of incident has never happened in Abuja. It is a new challenge. We are going to take proactive measures especially in all public places like parks, meeting places and others.”
Senator Bala Mohammed said it was most unfortunate and painful that yet-to-be identified wicked persons chose to spoil the joy of innocent Nigerians by bombing them on an historic national day when they were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their beloved country, Nigeria.
He implored the various security agencies to do their utmost to unmask those behind the dastardly act, vowing that the culprits must not escape unpunished.
Canada condemns terrorist attack in Nigeria
Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “Canada strongly condemns the act of terrorism that took place in the Nigerian capital. The perpetrators of this cowardly act struck just as Nigerians gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their nation’s independence.
We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those killed in the bombing, and we wish those injured a swift recovery.
“Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai, who is representing Canada in Abuja for Nigeria’s independence celebrations, personally extended a message of sympathy to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and all Canadians.
“Canadians stand together with the Nigerian people in deploring this act of terrorism.
We will continue to assist the people and government of Nigeria as they strive to improve security and consolidate democracy and the rule of law.”
Bankole condemns perpetrators of bomb blast
The Speaker of the House Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole also condemned the bomb blast.
Speaker Bankole described the blast as “wicked and unfortunate action,” and urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“Democracy provides allowances for people to express grievances, and violent, terrorist attack is not one of such,” Bankole added.
Saraki condemns bombings, condoles victims’ families
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kara State, expressed shock and condemned the bombings.
Speaking from Ilorin, the Kara State capital, Governor Saraki said: “On a day when all Nigerians and our well-wishers across the world were celebrating 50 years of freedom, words cannot express my horror at the senseless deaths that occurred in Abuja; the taking of innocent lives for no just cause.
“My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families of those who have tragically had their lives cut short as well as to those that were wounded”.
There’s the need for more vigilance – IBB
Presidential aspirant, General Ibrahim Babangida described the Abuja bomb blast as an act of cowardice.
The Presidential hopeful who noted that there were other ways and means of expressing one’s grievances without what he tagged “this barbaric approach that tends to undermine the sovereignty of the country”, stressed that Nigerians should consciously cultivate the spirit of dialogue and constructive debates as civilized people as means of resolving issues and differences rather than resort to violence as a way of expressing our discontent.
According to Babangida, it is frightening that issues like armed robbery, kidnapping, and the latest, Car Bombing are taking place in Nigeria at the moment of the nation’s history when as a country, we have come a long way despite all Nigeria’s initial tribulations, differences and perspectives, adding, “this latest dimension has not only thrown us backward as a country trying to find her feet, it will more than ever before, cast a very negative image of the country to the outside world.”
My heart bled – Atiku
Another Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said yesterday that his heart bled when he received the news of the bomb explosion that took place in the nation’s capital Abuja Friday.
Atiku in a message to the families of the bereaved and Nigerians at large from his campaign office in Abuja described the incident as tragic and that which has been violated irretrievably the serenity of Abuja.
Arisekola condemns bomb attack on Abuja
Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Alao described the act as inhuman and condemnable.
He wondered why any one would plant bombs to disrupt the Independence celebration and asked security agencies to ensure that prevent such incidents in the country.
Alhaji Alao, who is also the Aare of Ibadanland, described President Goodluck Jonathan as “nice gentleman who should be allowed to concentrate on his job”.
Abuja Bomb: Total embarrassment to Nigeria, Africa – PDP
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo called the bomb blasts in Abuja as evil and wicked, just as he said that the dastardly act was not only an embarrassment to Nigeria as a nation, but to the entire African continent.
Dr Nwodo while condoling the families of the bomb victims, said that party received the news of the incident with utter shock and total dismay, even as he called all relevant agencies to stand up to this challenge and find the perpetrators for the law to take its course, adding that as the country prepares for the 2011 general elections, Nigeria as a country cannot afford anything that would unnecessarily heat up the polity.
Abuja bombing by enemies of progress – UNDEDSS
Professor Pat Utomi has declared that “the car bombs that went off whilst President Goodluck Jonathan was reviewing the Independence Day Parade must have been planted by elements intent on sowing seeds for sectarian and ethnic violence to bring about anarchy in Nigeria.”
Professor Utomi’s position was contained in an Emergency Press Conference addressed by the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy [UNDEDSS].
The UNDEDSS President went on to disclose that “preliminary investigations suggest that neither South African-based MEND Leader Henry Okah nor any of the senior MEND ex-militant leaders in Nigeria are claiming responsibility for this dastardly incident.
We are also aware that major intelligence agencies of friendly countries had warned that Al Qaeda could be interested in fomenting crisis in the nation during these celebrations.
We, therefore, cannot wish away the slim probability that this tragic act could be the work of agents provocateur who may have hacked into MEND’s e-mail account the way some people hacked into the National Assembly website and the News Agency of Nigeria’s email account to create confusion some months recently.”
… Aliyu too
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, similarly condemned the bomb blasts.
Dr. Aliyu who is also the Governor of Niger state, spoke through his Director General Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Bala Abdulkadir where he described the incidence as unfortunate and which should be condemned by Nigerians.
The Governor noted that while Nigerians were celebrating the Nigerian 50th Independence, some others were busy trying to bring the nation down adding that the forum will join forces with President Goodluck Jonathan to identify those behind the dastardly act.
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