As security remains tight in Suleja, Niger State following the Christmas Day bomb blast, facts are emerging as to why the Boko Haram sect always chooses Suleja as its target even when the state capital, Minna, and other major cities in the state remain peaceful.
LEADERSHIP checks with security sources in the state reveal that the proximity of Suleja and Madalla to Abuja and the observation of certain security protocols has been making the area attractive to bombers.
It was also gathered that the bombers often find it difficult to easily penetrate Abuja and most times choose Suleja and its environs to send a strong message to the authorities of its readiness to confront the police and other security agencies.
A source, who sought anonymity told LEADERSHIP that the target of Suleja might have served the terrorist’s purpose, considering the fact that it is a mix of natives as well as settlers who live there and work in Abuja.
Also,? the location of Suleja -? a transit town that strategically serves both the northern and southern parts of the country – may have contributed in somewhat making it a back spot inhabited by criminal gangs who engage in all sorts of nefarious activities, ”and this also makes it an ideal recruitment ground for such organizations as Boko Haram, “ said the source, adding that: “There is also the factor of the rocky nature of the place. The people use dynamites to break stones in the area. That might have helped those perpetrating the act to have easy access to explosives, without having to travel far.”
The source’s position confirmed the story earlier published exclusively by LEADERSHIP over a business man (names withheld) who was arrested by the police with explosive-making materials but claimed that they were being used for mining activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguche confirmed at that time that investigation carried out by his men showed that the man in question was not a registered end user of explosives for mining, but that? acquired the materials from Kaduna.
Meanwhile, checks by LEADERSHIP at the General Hospital, Suleja, reveal that there is tight security around the wards where victims are on admission, as movement in and out is heavily restricted.
Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who was? earlier scheduled to visit to the area had to reschedule it till later in the evening, though the reasons for that remain sketchy as at the time of going to press.
Meanwhile, the United States President, Barrack Obama and the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon have condemned Boko Haram over the Christmas Day bombings in some parts of Nigeria, urging the security agencies in the country to quickly investigate the attacks and prosecute the perpetrators to serve as deterrence to other members of the terrorist group that carried out the bombings.
In his reaction, Obama condemned the tragic loss of life occasioned by the attacks in three churches on Christmas Day across the country.
Speaking through his media aide, the US president berated Boko Haram which had claimed responsibility for the Christmas Day multiple bombings.
He said: “We condemn this senseless violence and tragic loss of life on Christmas Day. We offer our sincere condolences to the Nigerian people and especially those who lost family and loved ones.”
Calling for probe, Obama said his administration was in contact with Nigerian authorities “about what initially appear to be terrorist acts and pledged to assist them in bringing those responsible to justice.
Also reacting in a press statement obtained by our United States Bureau Chief, Ki-moon expressed his sympathy and condoled with the people of Nigeria and the bereaved families who lost their loved ones.
The UN Secretary-General further noted that the bombings, which occurred in Madalla should be quickly probed to prevent future occurrence in the country.
He said: “The Secretary-General calls once again for an end to all acts of sectarian violence in the country and reiterates his firm conviction that nothing can justify this resort to violence.”
Also, the Rotational President of the UN Security Council for the month of December, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, condemned the deadly attacks, saying that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
According to him, members of the council are determined to help Nigeria and other countries combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the remains of 24 victims of the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja are to be given mass burial.
LEADERSHIP checks from the mortuary attendants, who pleaded for anonymity, revealed that 24 bodies were brought into the hospital on the day of the bomb explosion.
According to one of the attendants, most of the dead persons were burnt beyond recognition, while some had their bodies dismembered and mutilated beyond recognition due to the impact of the explosion.
Findings at? the emergency unit of the hospital revealed that some of the victims are responding to treatments even though hospital officials declined to speak further on the conditions of the victims, stating that they have not been authorized to do so.
But it was disclosed that some of the victims, whose health conditions are critical, have been moved to the National Hospital.
In a related development, the Minister of Interior , Mr. Abba Moro has said that the federal government will sponsor the education of children of those who died in the Christmas Day bomb blast at St Theresa Catholic Church.
The minister made the promise yesterday during his visit to the Catholic Church to commiserate with the officiating priests and other members of the church on the incident which claimed about 25 lives and injured several people.
Moro also disclosed that government was ready to sponsor the victims of the blast whose injuries may require better medical attention abroad.
According to him, the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government is working tirelessly towards ensuring that security is improved, as the government is more concerned than ever before about the incessant bombings in some parts of the country.
He said that he found it imperative to visit the church before going to see the victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the Suleja General Hospital and the Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.
Responding, the parish Priest, Reverent Farther Isaac Achi recalled that he was not in the church premises during the morning mass on that day, saying however he heard a heavy sound of the bomb explosion from afar.
He narrated that he immediately? he was informed about the explosion? in the church, he rushed back to the area only to see several corpses on the ground around the frontage of the church gate, saying that up to the? moment of the minister’s visit, the church could not ascertain the number casualties and level of destruction.
Between March 3, 2011 and July 20, 2011, four cases of bomb detonations occurred within and around Suleja in Niger state. Six accused persons, Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Musa Adam, Umar Babagana, Mohammed Ali and Umar Ibrahim are at present standing trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja? for? allegedly conspiring among themselves and others now at large to prepare, plant and detonate Improvised Explosive Devices? (IED) at various public places? which led to the deaths of 16 persons at the INEC office in Suleja on 8 April, 2011; deaths of three persons at a political rally in Suleja on 3rd March, 2011; deaths of three Peace Officers on 23rd May, 2011 at Dakwa Village in Bwari Area Council of the FCT and the deaths of three persons at the All Christian Fellowship Church Suleja on 10th July, 2011.The suspects were also alleged to have been trained in weapons handling by one Ibrahim Bashir Madalla who is still at large.