Former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar has expressed his condolences to the management and staff of Leaders and Company Limited, publishers of THISDAY newspaper over bomb explosions, which rocked its Abuja and Kaduna offices and led to the loss of lives.
Also, the former Vice President expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the Sun Newspapers, which Kaduna office was affected in the attacks in Kaduna, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists over the dastardly act.
Abubakar, in a statement issued by his Media Office, which building was also slightly damaged from the impact of the explosion, warned that “the attacks on media houses are a dangerous dimension to the insurgency in the country and government needs to be more creative in tackling the menace.”
Abubakar, however, commended the prompt response of security agencies and emergency control departments in minimising the damage done by the attack.
“This is not the best of times for us as nation. The palpable fears from these random attacks require that the government should be more creative in solving this security challenge. It is also important that those behind these dastardly attacks show restraints, and explore other peaceful means of expressing their grievances,” Atiku said.
According to him, “a situation whereby newspaper houses become the target of deadly bomb attacks is not healthy for the social conscience of the society.”
Recalling that the media had confronted military dictatorships and have been in the vanguard of enthroning democracy in Nigeria, the former Vice President urged journalists, media practitioners and media owners not to be intimidated by this onslaught ostensibly aimed at suppressing free media.
“It is hoped and I am confident that the Nigerian media will not be deterred by this development, but rather continue to be a bastion of courage in the collective drive towards a safer Nigeria,” he said.
He prayed for strength and comfort to the families of all those who may have lost a dear one or injured in the incidents.
David Mark
The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, described the multiple blasts at THISDAY and The Sun offices in Abuja and Kaduna as an assault on the freedom of the press.
Mark, who received the news of the multiple bomb attacks with shock, charged the perpetrators of these evil acts to fear God.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Kola Ologbodiyan, Mark said the Federal Government doors are opened at resolving any grievances, assuring Nigerians that the present administration is not resting on its oars at ensuring safety of lives and property of every Nigerian.
The Senate president called on media practitioners across the country not to be deterred by the blast saying: “We are touched by the news of the bomb attack on your outfits by faceless individuals.
“It is unjust, savage, dastard and evil. As a people, we must all join hands to contain these ugly acts in our midst. We must rise to the challenge of these devious attacks. This is basically an assault on the freedom of the press which every journalist in our nation laboured to achieve.”
Mark urged media practitioners to see the assault as a challenge on their part and not to relent in the discharge of their duties as the watchdog of the society.
He consoled the management of the newspapers hit by the assailants in Abuja and Kaduna while praying that God will grant the soul of victims that died in the attack eternal rest as well as quick recovery for those that sustained various degree of injury.
Olusegun Oni
The National Vice Chairman, South West, of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Segun Oni, has commiserated with Chief Nduka Obaigbena, the Publisher of Thisday newspaper, over the bomb explosion, which rocked the Abuja office of the newspaper today.
In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Oni, who described the news of the bomb explosion as shocking and painful, prayed that God will console the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.
While describing perpetrators of the dastardly act as enemies of Nigeria, who must not be spared by law enforcement agencies in the country, Oni urged management of Thisday newspapers not to be deterred by the incident.
He said: “I can imagine the level of agony this incident has inflicted on your organisation. It is indeed shocking and painful. But do not let it deter you from carrying out your social responsibilities of informing, educating and entertaining Nigerians and indeed, the entire world. Rather, it should be seen as a tonic for you to reinvigorate your energy towards better service delivery to your teeming readers.
“I share in this painful moment, which I am sure must be trying and pray that God, in His infinite mercies will bring succour to the families of those whose lives were lost, heal those that were wounded and also restore whatever that were destroyed by the bomb explosion.”
Lagos NUJ
The Lagos State Council of the NUJ has condemned the attacks also.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, Comrade Deji Elumoye, the union described the attack as “devilish and barbaric.”
Elumoye urged President Goodluck Jonathan to live up to his oath of office and safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
He said: “They are killing Nigerians and now they are targeting the media.
“The SSS, military and all security operatives must do the needful and rid Nigeria of terrorism.”
The union also sympathised with the affected media houses and encouraged journalists not to be deterred by the attack.