A survivor of the attacks rests at a hospital bed in Kano ... yesterday•Jonathan vows justice •Sultan: it’s unacceptable
THE President was in Kano – scene of Friday’s multiple explosions in which more than 150 residents died – yesterday.
He saw the devastation in Nigeria’s second largest city, mourned the dead, comforted the injured and promised to go after Boko Haram (Western education is sinful) sponsors. The sect launched the attacks in which the death toll is expected to hit 250, according to a hospital doctor.
Although the figure of 178 dead was released on Saturday, the doctor told the AFP news agency that the final toll was likely to be about 250.
“Although the bulk of the bodies were brought here [the main hospital], others were deposited at three other hospitals,” the doctor said.
The scale of the carnage makes this by far the deadliest strike claimed by Boko Haram, a sect that started out as a clerical movement opposed to western education but has become the biggest security menace in Nigeria.
“We have 178 people killed in the two main hospitals,” the senior doctor in Kano’s Murtala Mohammed hospital said, citing records from his own and the other main hospital of Nasarawa.
“There could be more, because some bodies have not yet come in and others were collected early.”
President Jonathan vowed to wipe out Boko Haram, saying the Federal Government would not rest in its oars until the menace of the group is exterminated.
The President spoke at the palace of the Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
According to him, Kano has been peaceful, but the insurgence of the Boko Haram has caused fear among residents.
Dr Jonathan said: “The people doing this are not spirit. They are among us. I seek the cooperation of all towards getting those involved in the havoc arrested. I assure Nigerians that the government will intensify its security in Kano and all over the country to unravel the misery behind this act.
“What is good for us as a nation is to look at our neighbours, to know what they do to enable us fish out these miscreants because if we don’t, one day, it may be against us. We will not rest, until these terrorists are wiped out.”
He urged Nigerians to be watchful of bad elements, who continue to disrupt peace and stability, adding: “Nigerians should do everything possible to make sure that miscreants in our midst are immediately reported to security agents. It is the responsibility of all Nigerians to fight militancy.”
Replying to the Emir’s demand for increased security in Kano, the President promised to order the deployment of more security agents in the state, in addition to providing them with modern equipment.
The President said: “Any dangerous attack on any community is an attack on Nigerians. In some years back, none of us will believe that Nigeria will be involved in suicide bombing mission.”
He urged traditional rulers and patriotic Nigerians to educate their people on the danger of terrorism.
The Emir, in an emotional voice, condemned the perpetrators of the attacks, adding that Kano is plunged into apprehension. He urged the Federal Government to do everything to address insecurity.
The President visited the affected areas, including the badly torched Zone 1 Headquarters to assess the damage. He also visited the Army Specialist Hospital where some of the injured are being treated.
He promised that the Federal and state governments would assist the injured and relatives of the dead.
The President’s plane landed at the Malam Aminu Kano Airport at about 3.09pm.
He was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, among other officials.
The President, accompanied by Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso, arrived at the Emir’s palace after the 4.00pm prayers. He spent about 15 minutes with the Emir, who received him alongside members of the Emirate Council, including Alhaji Wambai Kano and Alhaji Abass Sanusi.
“The message I had for the people of Kano is the same message I have for all Nigerians: A terrorist attack on one person is an attack on all of us,” President Jonathan said in a post on his official Facebook page after the visit.
Authorities have lifted a daytime curfew imposed in Kano after the bombings, which hit eight government sites Friday.
But an overnight curfew remained between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Shell-shocked residents wandered the streets, looking for loved ones. Others hid behind barricaded doors, too scared to leave for fear of more attacks.
“That’s the scary part, not knowing,” said Faruk Mohammed, 27, who lives near one of the bombed police stations. “We don’t know what’s going to happen next, no one thought this would ever happen here. There’s a general sense of despair.”
The attacks paired bomb blasts with shootings on various sites, including police stations, the passport office, state security headquarters and the immigration office.
During the attacks, assailants entered a police station, freed detainees and bombed it, authorities said.
They later canvassed the area in a car led by motorcycles, spraying targets with gunfire.
“I counted at least 25 explosions ...,” Mohammed said. “Then it went deathly quiet. Kano is a bustling city ... I’ve lived here for years and it has never been quiet, even at night. But after the bombings stopped, the only noise you could hear were dogs barking.”
Two churches and a security checkpoint were attacked in the neighboring state of Bauchi, the state police commissioner said in a statement. At least 11 people, including police and army personnel, were killed in the checkpoint attack, the commissioner said. There were no casualties reported from the church attacks.
Police said they suspect Boko Haram was involved in the checkpoint attack.
SOURCE: The Nation, 23 January 2012. http://www.thenationonlineng.net
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