By Tobi Soniyi, Jaiyeola Andrews, Dele Ogbodo, Senator Iroegbu and Paul Obi in Abuja
Following the multiple bomb blasts in Nyanya and Kuje, two of the satellite towns of the Federal Capital City Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed security agencies to mount surveillance across the country.
The President gave the order after he received a briefing from a fact-finding team he had sent to the areas of the Federal Capital Territory which came under terrorist bombings on Friday evening.
His directive came just as the Abuja Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishayah Chonoko, confirmed that 59 people were affected by the blasts. He said 18 persons lost their lives, while 41 others were injured.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the president as directing the security services to raise their surveillance activities to meet the challenges of a retreating, desperate terrorist army and the general public to remain acutely aware of security in and around them.
Sympathising with the families of the victims of the deadly incidents as well as families of those who were killed in similar incidents a few days ago in Borno State, the president also expressed optimism that Boko Haram would soon be defeated and reiterated his determination to rid the country of violent extremism.
"The defeat of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight, but to remove violence and make the country safe, we must tackle the prevalence of violent extremism.
"The defeat of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight, but to remove violence and make the country safe, we must tackle the prevalence of violent extremism.
"In doing this, we will learn from the experience of the international community," Buhari said.
The fact-finding team, made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Permanent Secretaries Ministry of Health and Federal Capital Territory, as well as the police commissioner in charge of the FCT, visited the Kuje and Nyanya bombing scenes and greeted victims of the incidents at the National Hospital and the Maitama General Hospital.
The fact-finding team, made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Permanent Secretaries Ministry of Health and Federal Capital Territory, as well as the police commissioner in charge of the FCT, visited the Kuje and Nyanya bombing scenes and greeted victims of the incidents at the National Hospital and the Maitama General Hospital.
They also inspected the wards and mortuaries and consoled grieving family members on behalf of the president.
In another statement issued later which he personally signed, the President said the attacks in Maiduguri, Yola and Abuja were apparently timed to coincide with Independence Day celebrations - which was marked a day before the incident.
His statement reads: "These cowardly attacks expose the real face of the planners and perpetrators of these crimes. What quarrel do they have with the good people of Nyanya motor park? What issue do they have with innocent people in market places in Maiduguri, Yola and Kuje?
In another statement issued later which he personally signed, the President said the attacks in Maiduguri, Yola and Abuja were apparently timed to coincide with Independence Day celebrations - which was marked a day before the incident.
His statement reads: "These cowardly attacks expose the real face of the planners and perpetrators of these crimes. What quarrel do they have with the good people of Nyanya motor park? What issue do they have with innocent people in market places in Maiduguri, Yola and Kuje?
"It is clear this battle is not ideological. It is between the forces of peace and order and the evil forces of murder and destruction.
"Security forces and other local authorities have been instructed to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks.
"The Armed Forces have been empowered to crush what remains of Boko Haram. This government is determined to stamp out Boko Haram and all other terrorists of whatever persuasions and bring all sponsors to justice."
He commiserated with the families of the dead and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
"Security forces and other local authorities have been instructed to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks.
"The Armed Forces have been empowered to crush what remains of Boko Haram. This government is determined to stamp out Boko Haram and all other terrorists of whatever persuasions and bring all sponsors to justice."
He commiserated with the families of the dead and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Giving a breakdown of the casualty figure, Abuja Zonal Coordinator of NEMA said three people died and 21 were injured in the Nyanya blasts. He put the death toll in the Kuje blasts at 15 with 20 people sustaining injuries.
But the figure given by the military was slightly different. The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Guards Brigade, Abuja, Capt. Bashir Jajira, in a statement yesterday, said 17 people were killed in the multiple blasts.
But the figure given by the military was slightly different. The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Guards Brigade, Abuja, Capt. Bashir Jajira, in a statement yesterday, said 17 people were killed in the multiple blasts.
According to Jajira: " Two bomb blasts were recorded in Kuje; the first one was near the Area Council Police Station, killing the only female suicide bomber. The second blast was around Kuje Main Market with about 13 persons confirmed dead so far, bringing it to a total of 14 souls (that) were lost including two suicide bombers (a male and female) and 12 civilians.
"Their bodies have been recovered, and about 18 civilians who were injured have been taken to Kuje General Hospital and as well as some to the National Hospital."
"Their bodies have been recovered, and about 18 civilians who were injured have been taken to Kuje General Hospital and as well as some to the National Hospital."
"Meanwhile, there were three casualties in Nyanya, comprising two suicide bombers (male and female) and a civilian. There were also civilians that sustained various degree of injuries, but there was no casualty from the military."
It was also revealed yesterday that a seven-month-old baby was among those injured in the bomb blasts. The baby was among those rushed to the National Hospital by rescuers but the whereabouts of the parents were still unknown as at press time.
It was also revealed yesterday that a seven-month-old baby was among those injured in the bomb blasts. The baby was among those rushed to the National Hospital by rescuers but the whereabouts of the parents were still unknown as at press time.
Chief Information Officer of National Hospital, Dr Tayo Haastrup, told journalists that "we can't find the parents for now. The more important thing is now let's just take care of the baby."
Officials are also unable to determine if the baby's parents are among the dead or injured at the hospital.
"We just pray they are not among the dead," said Haastrup.
Officials are also unable to determine if the baby's parents are among the dead or injured at the hospital.
"We just pray they are not among the dead," said Haastrup.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu, has directed all hospitals in the FCT where victims of the blasts are being treated to provide adequate medical care to the victims as the FCT administration would foot all their medical bills.
The Permanent Secretary gave this directive when he visited the scenes of the blasts in Kuje and Nyanya yesterday. He also visited the victims at the Kuje General Hospital and the National Hospital, Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary gave this directive when he visited the scenes of the blasts in Kuje and Nyanya yesterday. He also visited the victims at the Kuje General Hospital and the National Hospital, Abuja.
While assuring the public that the FCT administration would provide full medical treatment to all those injured in the unfortunate incident, he directed the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat and the FCT Emergency Management Agency to redouble their efforts.
He however appealed to residents of FCT to always avoid crowded areas, as those behind the dastardly acts usually target such places for maximum damage.
He however appealed to residents of FCT to always avoid crowded areas, as those behind the dastardly acts usually target such places for maximum damage.
Assuring the people that security agencies in the FCT were on top of the situation, the permanent secretary urged residents of FCT to be more vigilant and report any "suspicious person or movement to the law enforcement agents."
Meanwhile, there were fears at the weekend over the proximity of Kuje, one of the scenes of the bomb blasts, to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), coupled with the recent arrest of a Boko Haram suspect at the same airport.
But Federal Government yesterday said it was taking adequate measures toward ensuring the safety and security of passengers, airport staff and aviation infrastructure at the nation's airports.
Meanwhile, there were fears at the weekend over the proximity of Kuje, one of the scenes of the bomb blasts, to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), coupled with the recent arrest of a Boko Haram suspect at the same airport.
But Federal Government yesterday said it was taking adequate measures toward ensuring the safety and security of passengers, airport staff and aviation infrastructure at the nation's airports.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello, in a telephone interview with THISDAY, said the ministry would soon be through with the installation of its security equipment capable of detecting bombs, explosives and any form of IEDs at long distance.
"Also, long distance detective Close Circuit cameras, are being installed simultaneously," she revealed.
While recalling the arrest of a Boko Haram suspect few weeks ago at the Abuja airport, she acknowledged that the arrest was a collaborative efforts between the Department of Security Service (DSS) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security network.
"Also, long distance detective Close Circuit cameras, are being installed simultaneously," she revealed.
While recalling the arrest of a Boko Haram suspect few weeks ago at the Abuja airport, she acknowledged that the arrest was a collaborative efforts between the Department of Security Service (DSS) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security network.
THISDAY observed that there was increased security presence at the airport yesterday. A Lagos-bound passenger, who simply identified himself as Moses, while acknowledging the unusual presence of security men at the airport, said it was understandable, considering the nearness of Kuje to the airport.
Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, in a text message to THISDAY, said since a suspected terrorist was caught at the airport last month, security measures had been put in place to check any security breach.
"Since then the security level has been raised and enhanced. And this is being maintained in collaboration with all the security agencies at the airport," he said.
"Since then the security level has been raised and enhanced. And this is being maintained in collaboration with all the security agencies at the airport," he said.
Also, in a bid to allay the growing fears at the airport as a result of the bomb blast in Kuje, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, who heads FAAN's Abuja Public Relations unit, said security personnel in collaboration with FAAN had devised strategies for constant monitoring of all movements at the airport.
"We are in touch with the Airforce and the military to make sure that both the passengers and airport infrastructure are secured."
On his part, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig-Gen. Musa Yusuf, assured Nigerians, especially FCT residents of improved security measures in and around the nation's Capital.
Yusuf in response to THISDAY enquiries allayed the fears that areas around the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja road could be under security threat following the bomb blast in nearby Kuje town.
On his part, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig-Gen. Musa Yusuf, assured Nigerians, especially FCT residents of improved security measures in and around the nation's Capital.
Yusuf in response to THISDAY enquiries allayed the fears that areas around the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja road could be under security threat following the bomb blast in nearby Kuje town.
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