Sambo, Mark, Kalu, others flay Abuja blast

Vice President Namadi Sambo, yesterday, described Wednesday’s bomb blast at EMAB Plaza in Abuja, which claimed 21 lives, as a cowardly and unjust act that will be defeated soon.

This was even as he urged Nigerians to be security conscious and cooperate with security agencies in their bid to keep the nation safe from terrorism, assuring that the present administration was doing all within its power to end the evil.


Sambo stated this after assessing the scene of the blast. He assured  that the administration would continue to do its best to ensure that peace returned to all troubled parts of the country.

The vice president, who moved from the scene of the blast to the Maitama General Hospital, where he commiserated with some of those who sustained injuries in the incident, said: “This cowardly, unjust act will be defeated, evil can never be sustained. Insha Allah, this administration and Mr. President are not going to leave any stone unturned until we defeat these terrorists.

“Terrorism cannot survive in Nigeria or in any part of this country. We are doing everything, we are putting everything in place to ensure that within the shortest possible time, this will become a thing of the past.”

Also, Senate President David Mark, lamented that in spite of peaceful entreaties, the killings and destruction of property had continued unabated.

“There are more than enough channels for anybody or group of persons to seek redress, including the law courts. Certainly, resort to killing, violence or destruction of property is not one of them,” he said.

Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of Nigerians, killed in Wednesday’s explosions in Abuja, Lagos and Adamawa, resulting in the death of about 21 people, including New Telegraph Deputy Editor, Mr. Suleiman Bisalla, with scores of others injured.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Ebere Wabara, Dr. Kalu said: “The consistent killing of people and wanton destruction of property by terrorists are getting out of hand and could undermine the country’s sovereignty if not confronted headlong.

“The time has come for the government to throw in everything in halting this spiraling carnage. The situation is worsening and calls for a drastic solution. Nigerians must rise and collectively tackle this mindless waste of precious lives.”

Kalu, who particularly condoled with the Bisalas, whose son died on active duty in the service of his fatherland, implored God to comfort the bereaved and grant the country the enablement to find a lasting solution to the terrorists’ menace.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, however said the sole motives of the terrorists was to “break the spirit of Nigerians and instill fear,” through mass murder and destruction of property.

Ekweremadu also condoled with the Daily Telegraph Newspaper family over the death of its Managing Editor (North), Mallam Suleiman Bisalla, who was killed in the incident.

Also, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba said the bombings had assumed a frightening dimension and urged Nigerians to be on the alert to foil any future attack.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, also urged Nigerians of goodwill to unite against the scourge of terrorism facing the country at this time.