Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has expressed his shock over the news of the bomb blasts that rocked the Abuja and Kaduna offices of THISDAY newspapers.
Equally,he also expressed his solidarity with the management of Sun Newspapers whose Kaduna office was affected by the same blast.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Speaker Tambuwal described the attacks as worrisome and unfortunate.
He said as the conscious of the society and it’s watchdog, any attack on the media signals a dangerous trend whose consequence would be devastating to the polity.
While urging security agencies to ensure that all those responsible for the attacks are brought to book, Speaker Tambuwal urged the media outfits affected by the blasts not to waiver in their responsibilities of informing the public and holding leaders to account.
He also urged journalists in the country to continue to be courageous in their duties, saying the House of Representatives in particular, and the National Assembly in general, would continue to partner with other arms of government and security agencies to ensure that all Nigerians are secured from all forms of attacks.
Equally ,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.
Atiku 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.”
Atiku, 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 was injured in the incidents.
Professor Cyriacus Njoku ,PDP Prsidential Aspirant also said the bomb attack on THISDAY office in Jabi-Abuja was quite unfortunate and needless.
“This is a time we need peace in Nigeria. Killing one another is not the solution.Though I am yet to get details of who did this, I believe what we need now in Nigeria is love. Nigerian can only solve her problems by themselves and not by assistance of Foreign powers like USA or UK.These Countries do not love us and will laugh at us if we end up destroying our Country,he said.
He added that “I think now is the time for a Sovereign National Conference so that we can all sit down and know what our problems are and make peace.”
Njoku added “I sympathise with the families of those who have lost their loved ones and urge Nigerians irrespective of religious and political differences to support President Jonathan in these trying times at least to bring peace to this Country. WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK.POSTPONEMENT OF TALKS WILL BE TOO LATE.”