AFRICA/NIGERIA - “It is a most unfortunate incident that need not, however, endanger peace in the nation,” Archbishop of Abuja tells Fides

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – "We prayed for the victims of October 1, together with the different Christian denominations in Nigeria,” Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, capital of Nigeria, told Fides.
"The ecumenical prayer meeting was held yesterday, Sunday, October 3, in the National Christian Center, the immense ecumenical church built by the State to Abuja. It was also attended by the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN, the organization that brings together Christian denominations in the country), as well as President Goodluck Jonathan, amidst tight security measures, which we Nigerians are not used to. The prayer meeting had already been organized awhile back, to give thanks to God for the 50 years of independence of Nigeria. Even Muslims, on Friday, October 1, celebrated the event with a moment of prayer in the Grand Mosque in the capital."
President Jonathan claimed that the twin bombings of October 1 had been carried out by "a small group living outside of Nigeria that has been paid by someone within the country to commit this cowardly act." The explosion of two car bombs near the place where a military parade was being held to celebrate 50 years of national independence, caused the death of 12 people and injured dozens more. The Head of State denied that the perpetrators are members of the MEND (Movement for the Independence of Nigeria), who in a statement sent prior to the attacks had warned that the area of the military parade be evacuated. In a subsequent press statement, the MEND claimed responsibility for the twin bombings.
According to the Nigerian President, the real perpetrators of this crime have used the name of the MEND as a cover-up. The Nigerian authorities said they had arrested two men in connection with the attack and two other men are wanted by police, while South African police have arrested Henry Okah, a prominent figure in the MEND, who had joined the amnesty proclaimed by the President of Nigeria.
"We are awaiting the outcome of investigations. We want to understand what happened. We hope that there is a serious investigation and no mysteries remain regarding the attack," said Archbishop Onaiyekan. "The events of October 1st, however, have not disrupted the life of the country. The population has remained calm and we hope that this episode, though most unfortunate, will not endanger national peace," says the Archbishop of Abuja. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2010)