by Sola Fasasi
All the joy and the merriment of Christmas Day was cut short this morning when news broke of a bomb blast that had rocked St Theresa’s Church in Madalla, near Abuja, killing 27 people. Moments later, another explosion went off in Jos, killing one policeman in the line of duty. As if that wasn’t more than enough for one day, three attacks targeted at church and security forces hit Damaturu and Gadaka, Yobe state. Islamist sect, Boko Haram, has taken responsibility for the bombings. Pictures of the wounded and carnage began to circulate the internet – among them images of people in their now bloodied Christmas clothes being carried out of harm’s way.
While the chaos was still going on, television broadcasts across the nation showed no signs of reporting or attempting to investigate the attacks. One channel showed the President dancing in a church service, well over an hour after the first bomb blast. Understandably Nigerians are shocked and appalled. Reports say that in Abuja, the streets are completely empty, and there is palpable fear in the air.
This is not doubt a sad Christmas for many Nigerians. Where are the glad tidings of comfort and joy? What is going on? And why on earth are our leaders silent? Already, many are cying out for the seemingly oblivous President Jonathan to make a statement. More pertinent however, is the need for a lasting solution to the deeply compromised security system of our nation.
Above all, our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the deceased and wounded. May God grant the latter a speedy recovery, and may the departed rest in peace.
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