The Oodua Peoples’ Congress Reformed has condemned resumed bombings in Northern Nigeria, citing blasts by a suspected female suicide bomber in Gwoza town, Borno State, which claimed the lives of 20 victims and left many injured, adding that this marks a resurgence of suicide bombing in the country and should not be taken with levity.
The leader of the group, Ambassador Oludare Adesope stated that based on reports that a woman carrying a baby on her back “detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) she had on her at a crowded motor park’ while the suicide bombers reportedly also targeted a hospital in the same town and another attack was later carried out at the funeral for victims of the wedding blast, security must be stepped up as it is obvious that orchestration of violence is ongoing.
He urged the Federal Government and all northern leaders, to find all means to stop the unexpected bombing, urging Muslim clerics to engage in massive sensitisation of their followers because many suicide bombers hide under the canopy of Islam.
“While there is no harm in fighting for one’s right, killing one another is inhumane and must be put to check. Nigeria is presently facing hardship and it will not be good to cause more danger to people.
“Also, President Tinubu should open the Benin border to address the hardship ravaging the people. If food items are affordable, people will be relieved; closing the border and the rise in customs duty is seriously affecting the citizens. It is time for the president to apply soft landing for citizens as many are dying of hunger.
“Though we understand that the president means well for the nation and some people are trying to sabotage the efforts of his government, he should also apply a mild policy that will suit the poor masses,” he added.
Adesope further frowned at the omission of Oodua Peoples’ Congress’s late leader; Dr. Federick Isiotan Fasheun’s name in the list of those that struggled for June 12, adding that “President Tinubu should have forgone whatever transpired between him and the late leader and honour him by recognising his selfless efforts in the actualisation of democracy.
“There is no way we will be talking of those who made sacrifices for this democracy without mentioning Dr. Fasehun. Though, he offended me too but to err is human but to forgive is divine and the elder state man is late now, I think he deserved that respect,” he added.