Catch me if you can, I"m in Abuja, you are very small for us - Shekau dares Jonathan

If the recent video released by leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau yesterday, in which he claimed responsibility for Monday morning’s bombing in Nyanya, that resulted in the death of over 71 persons, is anything to go by, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and indeed other parts of Nigeria may be under threat following Shekau’s boast that he is in the nation’s capital and has dared the security agencies to catch him if they can.

Boko Haram leader, Shekau Abubakar

He said the Nyanya bombing and many others carried out by his group were in retaliation for all the killing of Muslims in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

In the 28-minute video, Shekau appeared dressed in military camouflage, a black turban and with an AK-47 rifle slung across his chest. He was holding a thick chewing stick in his right hand with a spiral-bound notepaper in his left.

He began his speech by pointing the chewing stick and mentioning the name of President Goodluck Jonathan three times before saying, “You are just too small”.

Shekau said, “We are the ones who carried out the bombing in Abuja in an area called Nyanya. [President] Jonathan you are a lame duck. Jonathan, you are too small for us”.

In the video, which he switched between Arabic and Hausa language, Shekau queried why the president was mute when Muslims around the world and in Nigeria were killed and dared him to find his location, saying he was right within the FCT.

The video ended with footage of the destruction at the scene of the recent Nyanya explosion.

“You (Jonathan) should know that we are worshipping God, that is why we are always victorious in all our attacks; if you are that wise and knowledgeable, why is it still very difficult for you to locate where we are up till date despite the fact that we are within Nigeria. Look at us, we are right within your city (Abuja), and you don’t even know how to find us. Let me tell you now; I am here, very close to you; I dare you to get me, if you can”, said Shekau.

Catch me if you can, I"m in Abuja, you are very small for us - Shekau dares Jonathan

Fish out Abuja blast perpetrators - APC governors to Jonathan

The Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, made the call when the he led his colleagues on a  visit to  victims of the Nyanya bomb blast at the National Hospital in Abuja.

It would be recalled that on April 13, a bomb blast killed dozens of commuters and other Nigerians at Nyanya, an outskirts of Abuja.

“ We want to request our President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces, to deepen that particular section of our constitution, which guarantees  safety of lives and property of the ordinary citizens.

“ We urge him to show leadership at this moment and do whatever it is within his capacity and capabilities as president to fish out those who are involved in this act.

“ We are here as APC governors at the National Hospital to visit victims of the Nyanya bomb blast, which was an ugly and unfortunate incident that claimed so many lives.“

Okorocha, on behalf of the APC governors, commiserated with the families of those who lost their loves ones, saying “ we know they must be in serious pains at this moment “.

He decried increasing lost of lives in the country, adding that “almost on daily bases we hear one ugly incidences or the other about lost of lives.’’

He condemned, what he called “an unholy act,” which he said would not do any good to the country.

“ We notice that the increased blood shedding in our nation is becoming worrisome and as leaders we believe that this is not a time to say what is wrong or who is wrong.

“ This is a time that we must all close hands to ensure the safety of lives and properties. This is not a time to talk about politics with people’s lives,” he said.

He appealed to all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation and religion, to come together and unite with a view to fight “this evil of the moment which has terrorised our nation “.

Okorocha, also said the governors were concerned over the kidnapping of 100 school girls in Borno.

“ While we urged all Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful, we pray that we should unite at this moment to fight this evil. “

He disclosed that out of concern, the forum had decided to establish a trust fund for APC governors to support families of victims.

“ We shall also join force with other democrats to ensure that this bad story ends as quickly as possible. “

Also speaking, Gov. Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa, advised Nigerians to be vigilant and observe any unusual movement that was not in line with what they see daily.

“ My advice to Nigerians is that we should be observant and vigilant. We should not in any way leave the issue of security in the hands of security agencies alone.

“ Security should be everybody’s business; we should be more meticulous and observant of any suspicious movement and report to security operatives to complete their efforts of combating crimes,” he said.

Other governors on the visit are Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Abiola Ajimobi . (NAN)

 

Fish out Abuja blast perpetrators - APC governors to Jonathan