–Don’t despair, Northern govs tell Nigerians
— Jonathan restrategises against insurgency
Muhammad Tanko Shittu, Ukandi Odey, Abdullahi M. Gulloma, Aideloje Ojo
No fewer than 100 persons, including minors, were killed yesterday as two explosions rocked Jos, the capital of Plateau state.
The first explosion came at about 2:30 p.m. from a car that stopped at a traffic gridlock in the commercial area of the city, close to the former Jos University Teaching Hospital along Murtala Muhammed Way.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, reports that many of the dead bodies caught fire, even as most shops were engulfed by the inferno.
The car exploded with the driver inside it, some survivors told Blueprint.
Sympathisers and men of the Red Cross who later gathered at the scene were seen evacuating dead bodies and injured people.
Several victims with injuries were taken to various hospitals within Jos.
Men of the Fire Service also tried to put off the inferno, while men of the STF, Police and Civil Defence were involved in the rescue operation.
The second explosion occurred at about 3 p.m. a short distance from the earlier one, while people were busy evacuating the remains of the dead from the first blast.
Pandemonium broke out even though the explosion did not harm anyone.
Jos had not witnessed a spate of bombings in the past couple of years.
The police said in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Felicia Anslem, that the death toll stood at 46, while many others that were injured were receiving treatment in various hospitals in Jos.
No group claimed responsibility for the act.
Jonathan Reacts
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday condemned the bomb blasts in Jos, saying the perpetrators of the tragic assault on human freedom are “cruel and evil.”
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said Jonathan had directed all relevant agencies to mobilise support and relief efforts in aid of the victims.
The statement said: “The president extends his heartfelt sympathies to the affected families and persons. President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilisation.”
The president also expressed Nigeria’s deepest appreciation to the international community on the success of the recent summit in Paris on the security situation in the country, which was hosted by President Francois Hollande of France.
He re-affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the implementation of the resolutions reached at the summit, in addition to existing measures already being taken by the administration to combat terrorism and ensure the safety of lives.
Jonathan said no effort would be spared to stop the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the supply of arms and equipment made available to terrorists.
He considered “these measures very useful aspects of the concerted international effort to combat terrorism and put an end to the Boko Haram menace.
“In addition, the president, in Abuja, today, directed relevant government agencies to ensure enhanced implementation of the following programmes in the areas affected by Boko Haram atrocities: emergency relief assistance: The intensification of on-going relief assistance programmes by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with donor agencies.
“The programme will ensure rapid deployment of relief assistance to the affected local government areas and communities. This will include provision of food supplies, medical supplies, basic relief commodities, and conditional cash transfer programmes for affected households;
“Furthermore, the federal government of Nigeria will rebuild the Chibok school and fortify security in schools. In collaboration with the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Education, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the private sector, the government will launch the Safe Schools Initiative which will address security issues; re-build the destroyed schools; and provide equipment and materials.”
Northern Governors Wade In
Also, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has urged Nigerians, especially those living in the Northern part of the country, not to lose hope over the persistent attacks on them by members of the Boko Haram sect.
Chairman of the Forum, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, made the call yesterday while reacting to the multiple explosions that rocked Jos.
Aliyu assured that leaders at all levels were doing their best to ensure that terrorists were defeated.
In a statement issued by the Chairman, Northern SSGs Forum and Secretary to the Niger State Government, Hon. Saidu Idris Ndako Kpaki, the forum expressed regret that the murderous act happened at a time when security agencies were doing their best to put an end to the scourge of killing of innocent citizens.
The forum condoled with the families of the victims and prayed to God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest.