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In a city that is
unaccustomed to any major disruptions, there was an eerie calm in the
aftermath of Friday’s bomb explosions which marred the celebrations of
Nigeria’s 50 years of independence from colonial rule.

The two
explosions, one near the Bayelsa State government house in Abuja and,
the second around the parade ground at Eagles Square, occurred within
minutes of each other. Many died and others were seriously wounded. The
bombings, coming amidst a display of military hardware and athleticism
points at the challenges facing Nigeria’s leaders at a time all effort
should be directed towards ensuring credible polls next year. It is
also a sign of a significant escalation of the insecurity that has
simmered near the surface of national life for years, with kidnapping
and low-level insurgency – especially in the Niger Delta – as the
defining face of criminality for the past three years.

Security officials
were quick to assure Nigerians of their readiness to defend the
country. They also promised to identify the perpetrators of the crime.
The presidency described the attack as “a low, dirty and wicked act of
desperation by criminals and murderers who do not wish Nigeria well”.

“To those behind
these vicious acts, the president wants you to know that you will be
found, and you will pay dearly for this heinous crime,” a spokesperson
from the office of the president said.

“Coming at a time
that the world had gathered together to celebrate Nigeria at 50, these
bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gifts any nation can get. Their
purpose was to ensure that the celebration at Eagle Square was
cancelled by all means. It is sad and unfortunate.”

Nigeria, in its 50
years as an independent nation, has gone through some turbulence.
Nigerians have fought a gruesome civil war which claimed an estimated
one million lives and the unity of the nation was also tested by the
annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections. But the nation has always
held together and the sense of pulling together is already evident
after Friday’s incident.

Groups from across
the nation rose to condemn the bombing and pledge to work with the
federal government to defeat the terrorists.

The Northern
Patriots said it was against any action that lacks civility and
constitutionality and will never encourage it in any form.

“Such actions have
dire consequences on citizens and portrays Nigeria and Nigerians in a
bad light in the outside world,” its director general, Ismail Sani said.

The opposition All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) also condemned the bomb incident, although
it said the incident was a manifestation of the feeling of downtrodden.

Nuhu Ribadu,
presidential aspirant on the platform of the ACN, who lost one of his
aides in the explosion, spoke about the agony it caused.

“I am gravely
saddened by the gross security lapse …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 empathise with the families of
the departed and pray for the repose of the souls of our lost
compatriots,” he said. “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.”

Security officials
said the attack was more of a political sort than military. It is
mostly seen as dig at the presidency, coming at a time when
international leaders were in the country to celebrate with Mr Jonathan.

A Niger Delta
group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had
threatened to disrupt the anniversary celebration in an email sent
earlier Friday morning to media houses.

“With due respect
to all invited guests, dignitaries and attendees of the 50th
independence anniversary of Nigeria being held today, Friday, October
1, 2010 at the Eagle Square Abuja, the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND) is asking everyone to begin immediate evacuation
of the entire area within the next 30 minutes. This warning expires
after 10.30hrs,” the MEND statement said. “Several explosive devices
have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our
operatives working inside the government security services. In
evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.”

As of the time of
going to press, MEND had not come out to categorically claim
responsibility for the attack. In the past when they have sent out
warnings, emails claiming responsibility have immediately followed
explosions. Never before, have MEND explosions claimed civilian lives
and it is likely that the level of deaths among regular Nigerians has
shocked them.

A day before the
attacks, the South African government, allegedly on the request of the
federal government, searched the Johannesburg home of a leader of MEND,
Henry Okah. The search was apparently because a MEND plot had been
uncovered to set up explosions in Abuja. Mr. Okah was vociferous in
condemning the action of the South African government saying he could
not believe they would allow themselves to be used by the Nigerian
government. Mr Okah was last year granted amnesty by the federal
government after a long detention following his arrest and extradition
from Angola. He was accused of dealing in arms and explosives.

Thousands of MEND
foot soldiers and leaders bought into the federal government’s amnesty
programme last year surrendered their arms and are currently undergoing
rehabilitation.

In another move to
improve security, President Jonathan recently reshuffled the leadership
of Nigeria’s security team. The armed forces recorded a minor success
Friday morning with the well planned attack on the camp of kidnappers
of the 15 children in Abia State, which led to securing the freedom for
the children.

However, the bomb
attack occurring on the momentous occasion and so close to elections is
likely to raise fears about the role violence will continue to play in
the country.