By  Henry UMORU
FORMER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday, described the Abuja bomb blasts that occurred on Friday as very sad, just as he labelled  the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, as a terrorist group.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard, El-Rufai,  who said that Friday was a sad day in the history of Nigeria, a day the country was celebrating its fifty years of attaining independence, asked why anybody will want the bombing to happen  adding, “with these killings and MEND claiming responsibility, it is now a terrorist organization and it should be treated as such, it is criminal”.

Also yesterday, the former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said  the incident  was a call to rise in the country. Ribadu, however, called on government to take urgent actions geared towards guaranteeing the security of lives and property.

A statement signed by Ribadu read, “I am gravely saddened by the gross security lapse today in Abuja, where a number of compatriots were killed and wounded in two bomb blasts on a day we were observing our nation’s golden jubilee. I empathize with the families of the departed and pray for the repose of the souls of our lost compatriots.

“I also urge the health authorities to offer quick and comprehensive care to the wounded, while calling federal authorities to take urgent actions to guarantee the security of lives and property of our citizens.

“Coming few days after the shameful kidnapping of 15 school kids, these events draw attention to the desperate security situation in our country today.

“It behoves on us, therefore, to address these developments from a broad security perspective that seeks the fundamental, rather than some knee-jerk solutions. These solutions must be located in the realization of a truly secure political, economic and social community.”