As peoples all over the world of the Christian persuasion, celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th of December 2011, Nigeria was once again subjected to a series of bomb explosions targeted at worship centres from Niger through Plateau, to Yobe States.
As it happens in instances like this, there was loss of lives and serious damage to property by these dastardly acts and in one instance, over 27 worshippers who had gone to attend Mass at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madala, in Niger State and on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were killed unceremoniously.
The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for the attacks and has stated that it will continue with such acts until the secular system of government that has held us together as a nation is replaced with a forced system of government based on a singular religious belief.
The National Association of Seadogs, NAS, condemns these cowardly and dastardly acts perpetrated against innocent citizens of Nigeria and calls on those responsible to desist in their ambition to turn Nigeria into a country governed by tribal or religious strife as can be found in other countries.
We make bold to state that they do not possess the sole monopoly to violence! Nigeria is a country of different diverse ethnic and religious persuasions and the struggle for a single non secular system of Government forced through violence, intimidation and terror is one that can never be achieved.
What has become clear to the National Association of Seadogs is that these incessant attacks have laid bare, either the inadequacy of our national security apparatus in the least, or a resignation by the government of the day to its fate. Government must live up to its responsibility of protecting
its citizens as contained in the constitution and the oath of office taken by executives at both the state and Federal levels rather than join innocent bystanders in reactionary posture.
The perpetrators of these continued attacks have by their public pronouncements, thrown down the gauntlet, and the Federal government must pick it up to demonstrate in finality, who is in charge. Nigeria must be spared the shame and embarrassment that these unanswered attacks
are engendering in the international media.
The perpetrators of these terror inspiring attacks live within our midst and for them to challenge the peace and cohesive existence of Nigerians with such brazen and arrogant impunity, equates to declaring war on all law abiding citizens and this is totally unacceptable to NAS.
We implore Nigerians with information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of these criminals, to make same available to the various agencies charged with the core functions of security. The job of keeping Nigeria one, must remain the focus for all.
Oscar Egwuonwu
Pyrates’ Capoon
