The Nation December 30, 2011

Page 1

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Osun gets N146b ‘budget of progress’ NEWS

Page 10

•N76b voted for capital projects in 2012

Security agents grill 17 Boko Haram suspects •To unravel Xmas Day bombing

NEWS

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 1990 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011

N150.00

XMAS DAY BOMBINGS

Church death toll hits 43 Bishop urges Moslems to tackle sect

SOME OF THE VICTIMS

SOME OF THE DEAD

From Yusuf Alli, Augustine Ehikioya and Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

T

HE cleric in charge of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, the Very Rev. Isaac Achi, yesterday confirmed the death of 43 parishioners and unidentified persons in the Christmas Day explosions at the church. He also said 73 others are receiving treatment in 12 hospitals in Abuja, Madalla, Suleja, Zuba, Kwamba and Kubwa. Rev. Achi, at a briefing in Madalla by the Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, the Most Rev. Martin Igwe Uzoukwu, said the census of victims continues. Rev. Achi said: “Up till yesterday when I found it uncomfortable, I moved into a community and I was able to identify 20 parishioners that died in the explosions. This morning (yesterday), they brought in a list of 23 others confirmed to have died in the blast. “Until you (the parishioners) provide information, we will not know all those who were affected. In spite of the list we have, we will still go out to take stock.” According to the list re-

•Mrs Eucharia Ewon

•Scout Peter Ehiawaguan

•Mrs Uche Esiri

•Florence Nwadiukwu

•Ann Chinedu Aigbadon

•Faustina Pius

•Obasi Jonathan Onyebuli

•Mrs Onyinye Peace

•Joseph Daniel

•Chidera Sylvia Pius

•Cecilia Ebeku

•Inspector Titus Eze

Richard Dike, Lilian Dike, Lynda Chioma Ubiukwu, Uche Queen Obiukwu, Chidinma Cynthia Obiukwu, Linderlin Ifeoma Obiukwu, Ann-Chinedu Aigbadon, Chiemeri Nwachukwu, Cecilia Ebeku; Oluebube

Faustina Pius, Chidera Sylvia Pius, Florence Nwachukwu and Eucharia Ewoh. Others are: Joseph Daniel, Inspector Titus Eze, Obasi Jonathan Onyebuchi, Ehiawaguan Peter, Uche Esiri, Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma

leased by the church, 27 parishioners and others died; 73 are in hospitals. Of the 27, five are unidentified. The dead are: Anthony Okoronkwo; Comrade Dike A. Williams, Emmanuel Dike,

•Anthony Okoronkwo •Dike A. Williams •Emmanuel Dike •Richard Dike •Lilian Dike •Lynda Chioma Ubiukwu •Uche Queen Obiukwu •Chidinma Obiukwu •Linderlin Obiukwu •Ann-Chinedu Aigbadon •Chiemeri Nwachukwu •Cecilia Ebeku •Oluebube Pius •Chidera Sylvia Pius •Florence Nwachukwu •Eucharia Ewoh •Joseph Daniel •Inspector Titus Eze •Obasi Onyebuchi •Ehiawaguan Peter •Uche Esiri •Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma •Five unidentified

and five unidentified Persons. Rev. Uzoukwu noted that the death toll is more than 40. He said: “Reflecting on the ugly and unfortunate but avoidable incident in Madalla, I stare at the fact

that we have lost more than 40 people with many others wounded, maybe maimed forever. They are in different hospitals in Suleja, Abuja Main Town and Continued on page 4

Jonathan to security chiefs

Go after Boko Haram sponsors

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered security chiefs to go after Boko Haram sponsors. Dr Jonathan, according to State House sources, gave the directive at an emergency security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President specifically instructed his security team to fish out the sponsors of Boko Haram (Western Edu-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

cation is a sin), the group that has claimed responsibility for the series of bombings across the North. The President was quoted as telling the security chiefs: “Go after those involved in his heinous act. We must stop this Boko Haram madness.” The President’s action followed his promise to the leadership of the Christian

•From right: Ambassador Joe Keshi, ViceChairman, UBA Plc; Mr. Phillips Oduoza, GMD/ CEO, UBA Plc; and Chief Israel Ogbue, Chairman, UBA Plc, during the Court-Ordered Meeting in Lagos where shareholders approved a Holding Company structure for the bank ... yesterday

Continued on page 4

•AGRIC P13 •BRAND P15•SPORT P24 •SOCIETY P29 •POLITICS P43


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The Nation December 30, 2011 by The Nation - Issuu