THE GOLDEN JUBILEE BLOODBATH & THE AFTERMATH

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the nation's security agencies to immediately unmask those behind the bomb explosions, which occurred in Abuja yesterday morning and marred the nation's golden jubilee anniversary celebration.  

Eight people have been confirmed killed and several injured in the two bomb explosions that hit Abuja while the ceremony marking the 50th independence anniversary of the country was going on at the Eagle Square.

Both blasts occurred a few hours after the president in an upbeat nationwide broadcast to commemorate the golden jubilee celebration, said he prefers to “see the silver lining in the dark cloud rather than the dark cloud in the silver lining.”

But in swift reactions to the bomb attacks, the governments of the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and Spain strongly condemned the attack, stating that they stand by Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
The president who was inspecting a guard of honour at the time of the blasts, called it “a wicked act of desperation by criminals and murderers."

He condoled with those whose loved ones were killed in the blasts and asked them to take it as a maximum sacrifice for the progress of the nation.

The president through the Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Campaign Organiza-tion said those who planted the bomb were cowards and politically motivated. 

The statement signed by Sully Abu, Director of Media and Publicity of the organization noted: "As security agencies grapple with this affront on the nation’s peace and security by cowardly elements, we as a campaign organisation wish to stress that this dastardly act only underscores the urgent need to conduct our politics in a civilised fashion in the run up to next year’s election.   

"Rather than engage in brickbats, accusations and counter accusations which raise the political temperature and thus create room for anti-social elements to carry out their nefarious activities, our politicians must learn to engage one another in a peaceable fashion, devoid of acrimony and incendiary language.”    

The campaign organisation called on security agencies to get to the bottom “of this mischievous act no matter what claims have been made by any group and fish out the perpetrators for exemplary punishment according to the law.”

It noted further that security agencies must also be on special alert and must strengthen security across the country.
The president’s spokesman, Ima Niboro also said the intention of the bombers was to ensure that the celebration was cancelled.
In a statement, Niboro said: “Coming at a time when the world had gathered to celebrate Nigeria at 50, these bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gift any nation can get. 

“Their purpose was to ensure that the celebration at Eagle Square was cancelled by all means.  It is sad and unfortunate.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan grieves with the families that have lost loved ones in the incidents. The president shares their consternation as they mourn while the nation celebrates. 

“The president wants these families to know that their loved ones have not died in vain. Rather, they have paid the supreme price for our unity; and in their death, they have watered the tree of our freedom. 
“To those behind these vicious acts, the president wants you to know that you will be found, and you will pay dearly for this heinous crime.”

The blasts in Abuja yesterday occurred about two hours after the militant group Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta sent an e-mail warning that it had planted several bombs in and around the Eagle Square and advised dignitaries and invited guest to the celebration to evacuate the area.

The blasts, which took place between Bayelsa House and the Federal Ministry of Justice Buildings along Shehu Shagari Way, not far from the Eagle Square, also left seven vehicles burnt while about twenty other vehicles were damaged.

The blasts occurred at about 12:15pm while the independence ceremony was going on at the Eagle Square. 
The impact of the explosions affected the exterior of Arcade Hotel, Abuja which had its glasses shattered. THISDAY Dome was also affected as the blast shook the walls of the dome.  

Several other people within the vicinity of the explosions sustained injuries, with blood stains everywhere at the blasts scene. 
The injured were rushed to State House Clinic, National Hospital and Julius Berger Hospital in Jabi. 

Dead bodies were deposited at the morgues of the National Hospital and Maitama Hospital, while some other injured people were admitted into the emergency units of the two hospitals.

One of the persons who died in the blast was identified as Mr. Tahir Zakari Biu, son of retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu who was alleged to have been used by late General Sani Abacha to detain and torture those the dictator considered opposed to his regime in the 1990s.

For several hours, FCT and Red Cross ambulances were busy taking both the dead and the injured to the hospitals.
People who were relaxing at the Millennium Park very close to the where the explosion took place, on hearing the sounds of the blasts, ran for cover.

Police confirmed that the explosions were caused by bombs planted in cars around Bayelsa House and the Federal Ministry of Justice Buildings. 
Eyewitnesses said while security forces and firemen were trying to douse a fire in a car caused by the first explosion, a second blast occurred.

The two bombs went off about five minutes apart. Police said the bombs appeared timed to do the most damage to those who responded to the first blast.

"Two car bombs exploded and eight people are confirmed dead," Abuja police spokesman Jimoh Moshood told Reuters.
"There were more casualties at the second explosion because the first explosion drew crowds to the scene, which is close to the second explosion," an intelligence officer told the AFP news agency. At least one of the dead is believed to be a police officer.
A smaller third explosion went off within the Eagle Square parade ground at around 11.10am, but security men around said it was an accidental gunshot. 

MEND had in its message early yesterday warned that it had planted several explosive devices in and around the Eagle Square and gave “everyone” 30 minutes to leave the area.

The threat message reads: “With due respect to all invited guests, dignitaries and attendees of the 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria being held today, Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square Abuja, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta  is asking everyone to begin immediate evacuation of the entire area within the next 30 minutes. This warning expires after 10.30Hrs

“Several explosive devices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services. In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.”
The militant group said there was nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure and that for 50 years, “the people of the Niger Delta have had their land and resources stolen from them.”

It said further: “The constitution before independence, which offered resource control was mutilated by illegal military governments and this injustice is yet to be addressed.”

Last year the federal government signed an amnesty agreement with rebels in the Niger Delta, offering cash and the promise of job training for former militants who disarmed. The amnesty programme is at the demobilization stage.
Violence has since reduced and the number of kidnappings has fallen since the deal was reached, but some ex-militants complain the government has failed to deliver its end of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the president of France, Nicholas Sarkozy has condemned the double bomb attack which occurred in Abuja during the celebrations of Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee while noting that France stands by Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

In a statement which was made available by the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Jean Michel Dumond, Sarkozy said that the perpetrators wanted to dull the independence which is dear to Nigerian by the “odious act” which has claimed innocent lives.
He conveyed the condolences of his countrymen to the Nigerian government and people and to families and siblings of the victims.

“I condemn in the strongest term the double bomb attack which took place today in Abuja taking lives, according to the last report, eight people, and injuring more than 50 of which three are very serious,” the French ambassador said. 
Similarly, the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague also condemned the bombings describing it as cowardly and contemptible.

Hague in a statement expressed shock over the attacks “targeting Nigerians celebrating their 50th anniversary of independence.”
"My thoughts are with those injured and the families of those who have lost their lives. The United Kingdom will do all it can to help our Nigerian partners to bring those responsible to justice, he stated."

The government of Spain also joined in the condemnation when Ambassador Angel Losada, the country’s envoy in Nigeria, strongly condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Abuja “on the day Nigeria    commemorated its 50th anniversary as an independent state and which has caused an indeterminate number of dead and injured.” 
The envoy expressed his government’s solidarity with the Nigerian government, as well as the families of the victims of these attacks.

“The government of Spain also reaffirms its commitment to the political, economic and social development of the Nigerian people,” said the ambassador.

Spain was the only EU country that sent a foreign affairs minister, Mr. Juan Pablo de Laiglesia, to the anniversary celebration in Abuja.  

In its statement, the United States of America also condemned the attacks.
State Department spokesman, Philip Crowley, on behalf of the US government expressed his country’s condolence to the families of the victims and to the people of Nigeria “on what should be a joyous occasion.”

He said that the incident affirms the importance of Nigeria’s upcoming elections, reiterating that “violence has no place in political discourse in Nigeria or elsewhere.”

Crowley stated that Johnnie Carson, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Rajiv Shah, the administrator for the US Agency for International Development, and other officials attended the anniversary celebrations, but “were not affected by these bombings.” 

Before the attacks, the president had in his broadcast to the country told Nigerians to focus on the unlimited possibilities the nation has as it begins its journey to another 50 years of nationhood rather than continue to dwell on the imperfections and problems besetting the nation.

He said that he preferred to “see the silver lining in the dark cloud rather than the dark cloud in the silver lining.”
The president, who highlighted some daunting challenges the country has faced since independence in 1960, urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s nationhood for having gone so far as an indivisible entity.

He said a brighter future awaits the nation and urged Nigerians to be patriotic and take their destiny in their own hands.
Jonathan said, "Dear compatriots, despite the serious challenges that we have been living with, we cannot ignore the fact that we have cause to celebrate our nationhood and even a greater cause to look forward to a brighter future. 

"This is a historic occasion when we need to pause and appreciate who we are, what we have and to reflect on the encouraging possibilities ahead. There is certainly much to celebrate: our freedom, our strength, our unity and our resilience.”
The president said the anniversary celebration is also a time for stock-taking, “to consider our past so that it will inform our future.”
He said it is a time to look forward to the great opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Nigeria. “In fifty years, we have in several respects, attained heights that we should be very proud of as a nation."

 The president charged Nigerians to keep faith with abundant opportunities in the country to move forward. 
Said Jonathan: "It seems to me that the consensus of most Nigerians is that the time has come for us to break from the past and progress into a better future. 

“We should not allow Nigeria to be pulled back again by those who believe it is either they have their way or the country would fall to pieces. 

"The new Nigeria ahead of us, the new Nigeria we have to build together, is a society where everybody must feel at home. It must be a place we can all be happy, comfortable and confident to call our country. 

“It is not just enough for us to talk about how Nigeria can be great; it is our duty to make Nigeria great.”The President promised a visionary and committed leadership with security issues taking priority attention.