POPE Francis has joined Nigerians and other members of the international community to condemn Saturday’s Kano blast, saying it was an “extremely serious sin against God.”
He made the condemnation at a visit to Turkey.
As of yesterday, social media and blogs were inundated by Pope’s solidarity with Nigeria and Moslems which was originally reported by foreign media, including AFP.
The insurgents attacked a mosque in Kano on Friday in a deadly attack, killing about 120 people while injuring several others.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, also condemned the attack, while he called on concerned individuals to send donations to victims of the blast. He made the call on his Twitter handle. He had earlier cancelled the celebration of his 68th birthday saying there would be many more years of celebration.
In a statement issued by his media office, the former Vice President said he was devastated by the frequency and brutality of the attacks inflicted on innocent Nigerians
According to him, the attacks on mosques, churches, schools, bus stations, markets, shopping plazas and other places defy the teachings of all known religions.
He said his heart bled at “this senseless violence”, adding that it was high time the Boko Haram terrorists abandoned violence and embraced peace once and for all.
While calling on Nigerians to be more vigilant, he said security forces should be proactive in dealing with terrorism. For a new security threat, he noted, improved intelligence was required to combat the terrorists.
Former Vice President of the World Bank in charge of Africa, Oby Ezekwesili, also called for action. She lamented that the country was seriously troubled by the insurgents while many people continued to pretend. ‘“Our land is imperiled. Shall we keep up with pretence or shall we hold up to these realities and tackle them head on? Which?” she asked.
Recalling that the abducted Chibok girls had not been found, she called for more voices on the need to increase efforts to rescue them.
In response to a report by The PUNCH on the recent attack, one Emmanuel Chukwudi noted that Nigeria could make better progress if it developed capacity for local arms manufacturing. He noted that efforts towards ending terrorism would continue to be frustrated by foreign powers, who have never wished the country well.
“Why can’t Nigeria make its weapons and stop embarrassing every Nigerian by begging America. America doesn’t buy any weapon from anybody and sure will not buy from Nigeria. We need to grow local solutions to our problems rather than being a perpetual beggar. South Africa will not beg to buy arms; India will not also beg. Why Nigeria?
“We have more than dozens of universities. Why can’t we make the arms we need to fight? It is not the responsibility of America to help us end insurgency. We must understand it from this perspective otherwise we cannot move on,” he said.
Opposing the call for locally made arms, another commentator, Adeola, said it took the United States several decades to develop its capacity for arms manufacturing. He said Nigeria’s quest for independence in arms would take a long period. He added that the US’ reluctance to help Nigeria raised questions about its role in the ongoing insurgency in the country.
Reacting to a story by Reuters on the raid, Nigeria’s security agents have come under attack for their inability to quill the campaign by terrorists. Reacting to the report on Sunday, Hooey said it was unfortunate the security forces have not risen to the challenge.
He continued: “They are a big bloodthirsty gang of thugs that knows no bounds and their intent is destruction… It makes no difference to them when their lust for blood is up. Selectivity is not part of their programme.”
Source: The Punch
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