[size=18pt]We know those behind Abuja blasts, says Jonathan
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03/10/2010 00:30:00





CONTRARY to claims by the Movement for Niger Delta (MEND) that it was responsible for the Independence Day bomb blasts in the federal capital, Abuja, on Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the incident was a terrorist attack that had nothing to do with the militant group.

"We know those behind the attack and the persons sponsoring them; they are terrorists, not MEND. The name of MEND association that operates in Niger Delta was only used. I grew up in Niger Delta, so nobody can claim to know Niger Delta than myself, because I am from Niger Delta," he stated.

According to Jonathan, "What happened yesterday had nothing to do with the Niger Delta. People just use the name of MEND to camouflage criminality and terrorism. This is just similar to the kidnappings that have been taking place in the South-South and South-East parts of the country by people who kidnap for money."

President Jonathan spoke yesterday in Abuja during the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament international colloquium marking the 50th independence anniversary of African countries. He said the release attributed to MEND, claiming responsibility for the blasts on the grounds that the Niger Delta had been neglected, was not tenable.

According to him, " For anybody to work with terrorist organization and try to use the Niger Delta as a camouflage is totally unacceptable and I have informed the international media that it is totally a camouflage and it has nothing to do with the Niger Delta."

He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the security situation in the country, saying: "I am assuring Nigerians that government will take care and deal with the issue by redoubling effort in the security section."

The president who was at the National Hospital earlier to see victims of the bomb attack also assured the victims of government assistance, saying that the Federal Government will pick up their bills and also assist the families of the dead ones.

"Surely, Federal Government will take care of the bills and we are going to reach out to the families of those who have lost their lives and see the little the government can do to cushion the effect of the loss," he said.

The colloquium was poorly attended by Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, and President Goodluck, who chaired the event, was the only head of state present. Burkina Faso president, Blaise Compaore, who was the patron of the colloquium, could not attend the meeting because he returned to Ouagadougou and was represented by his Minister of Integration, Minata Samata.

More than 200 dignitaries were invited by ECOWAS parliamentarians including current and former Heads of State, Speakers of National Assemblies, but only few attended.

The reason for their absence could not be ascertained as most of them attended the country’s 50th independence anniversary celebration but did not wait to attend the colloquium.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, and ex-Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Mallam Nuhu Ribadu have condemned the attack.

In a statement issued on behalf of Bankole by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Bakare, he described the blasts as "wicked and unfortunate action," and urged security agencies to fish out the culprits.

Babangida, who spoke through his Director, Media and Communications, Prince Kassim Afegbua, asked Nigerians to avoid actions capable of drawing the country backward.

The statement said: "At this moment of our national history when we have come a long way despite all our initial tribulations, differences and perspectives, issues such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and the latest, car bombing appear very frightening to us as a nation.

Babangida said: "The Niger-Delta militants should embrace the beauty of the amnesty programme as a platform to further the collective aspiration of the Niger-Delta people in order to find solutions to the peculiar problems of the region."

Atiku, who admitted that his heart bled over the incident, urged the Federal Government to carry out a thorough investigation. "My heart bled when I heard the reports of the bombing incident on Friday in Abuja. The serenity of Abuja has been violated irretrievably. The multiple bombing incidents were unprecedented in the 30-year history of the new federal capital city and called for vigilance on the part of security agencies to avert a future occurrence," said Atiku.

On his part, Saraki expressed shock and condemned the bombings, describing them as senseless.

In a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of Abubakar Bukola Saraki Campaign Organization, Garba Deen Muhammad, the governor 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."

In a statement he personally signed, Ribadu said: "I am gravely saddened by the gross security lapse today in Abuja, where a number of compatriots were killed and wounded in two bomb blasts on a day we were observing our nation’s golden jubilee.

"I empathize with the families of the departed and pray for the repose of the souls of our lost compatriots.

"Coming few days after the shameful kidnapping of 15 school kids, these events draw attention to the desperate security situation in our country today.

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar also condemned the bomb blasts, urging President Jonathan not to be intimidated by the act of terrorism. Lar, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at a press briefing inside his Maitama residence, said those responsible for the acts should be investigated, prosecuted and punished.

Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao described the explosions as inhuman and condemnable.

Also, in separate statements, both the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) expressed sadness over the explosions, saying they were unfortunate.

According to the statement by NBA President, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN): "NBA views as tragic and lamentable the fact that the explosion occurred at a time when the world’s attention was beamed on Nigeria… This unfortunate incident is yet another sad event in the socio-political chronicles of this country which portends greater challenges in the times ahead."

In a statement signed by the National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) Hon. Olawale Oshun, he expressed worry that the incident was capable of disrupting the electoral process. Oshun said: "If there are Nigerians who wish to continue with voters manipulation as had occurred in 2003 and 2007 and/or who wish to cause distractions to the electoral transition process so as to continue to perpetuate the misrule in Nigeria, then we say it may be time that we started talking to one another as to whether we wish to remain as one single country or wish to renegotiate our existence and the terms of co-existing in this country."


http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/15080.html

If you know who they are why dont you refer them to the law enforcement agents so they could be arrested and possibly charged instead of going to the media and making these allegations

He knows them simply because he's d one behind d sinful task.

According to Jonathan, "What happened yesterday had nothing to do with the Niger Delta. People just use the name of MEND to camouflage criminality and terrorism. This is just similar to the kidnappings that have been taking place in the South-South and South-East parts of the country by people who kidnap for money."

lol I cant believe he put the two in the same BOX.

Eleven months after. . . . . .

Jonathan We know you who are responsible, Why are they not being prosecuted??

You should check out the news reports on Henry Okah's affidavit in South Africa, and see how Jonathan may actually be the one behind the bombing