Bombings a new dimension to Nigeria’s troubles – Buhari

The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Nigeria says it is deeply worried  by the bomb blasts in  Jos and Abuja. The group described the bombings as ‘’barbaric, inhuman, and unIslamic.“  Islam  abhors violence and is against the use of terrorist tactics such as bomb explosions to settle scores.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Vanguard Online | Nigeria
By Emeka Mamah, Kingsley Omonobi &
ETOP EKANEM | January 2, 2011

Presidential aspirant, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said the bombings in Abuja and Niger Delta have added a new dimension to Nigeria’s troubles.

The Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation also asked Nigerians not to be deterred by what it called a cowardly act aimed at aborting the gains of democracy in Nigeria while the Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, described the nation’s security as porous and asked for remedy.

Buhari, in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the new year celebration, explained that it  is the duty of responsible leaders to appeal to Nigerians to keep the peace.


“We are entering an election year. The youth should guard against being used to start violence. I believe the law enforcement authorities are equal to any trouble-maker.

“On their part, the law enforcement agencies should be impartial and should not allow themselves to be bribed and used to harass political opponents as we enter the new year with hope and anticipation for a free and fair election”, he added.

He said year 2010 was traumatic for Nigeria and Nigerians, noting that Nigerians deserve praise and salute for overcoming the difficult problems and challenges of the past year.

“We have gone through traumatic set-backs and tragic events. In particular the Jos and Maiduguri crises have not been contained.

“Accidents on the roads and building collapses have taken a toll on valuable lives and property”, he stated.
The Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization, in a statement, yesterday, condemned the Abuja blast, saying Nigerians should not be deterred by the cowardly act  aimed at aborting the gains so far made in Nigeria ’s march to democracy.

In the statement titled, “A Cowardly Act of Evil”, and signed by Mr. Sully Abu, director media and publicity, the organization said, “The explosion at a Mammy market at Mogadishu barracks in Abuja on New Year’s Eve represents yet another rude awakening on the extent evil people will go to commit murder, cause mayhem and destabilize the polity”. “What grievance or purpose can justify killing and maiming innocent people and especially at a festive period?

Continuing it said, “Like the Jos bombings before it, this cowardly act, a practice alien to our shores, has clearly been perpetrated by very sick minds. But they would fail in their intent”.

Okogie  said the security situation in the country is very porous and appealed to relevant authorities to remedy the situation.

The cardinal, who spoke to newsmen at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, yesterday, during the first service of the year, against the backdrop of recent bomb blasts in Jos and Abuja, said Nigeria has men  and women in the security agencies.

“If they are really serious, they  can overcome any situation. But, unfortunately, that is not what we have.”
Also, Pope Benedict XVI’s message on the occasion of the 97th World Peace Day, with the theme: “Religious freedom,, the path to peace”, was read where he implored all “men and women of goodwill to renew their commitment to building a world where all are free to profess their religion or faith, and to express their love of God with their heart, with all their soul and with all their mind.”

In his new year message at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, the Bishop of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Dr Adebola Ademowo, urged Nigerians pray for the forthcoming elections to be successful. He equally asked them to register during the voters registration this month.

According to Okogie, “the security in this nation is not tight at all as we are claiming to be. We have good laws but those concerned should try and implement the laws so that they will be applicable to everybody, rich or poor. In theory, the laws are for everybody but when it comes to application it is one- sided.’’

Meanwhile, the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Nigeria says it is deeply worried  by the bomb blasts in  Jos and Abuja. The group described the bombings as ‘’barbaric, inhuman, and unIslamic.“  Islam  abhors violence and is against the use of terrorist tactics such as bomb explosions to settle scores.

The movement ‘’hereby calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately constitute a  judicial commission of enquiry to investigate the main causes of the incessant violence.”



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