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Nigerian Police Search for Bombing Suspects

   Scott Stearns | Dakar 04 October 2010
   A Nigerian soldier lies on the ground after a small blast was heard in
   the  midst  of 50th anniversary celebrations of Nigeria's independence
   at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria, 01 Oct 2010

Photo: AP

   A Nigerian soldier lies on the ground after a small blast was heard in
   the  midst  of 50th anniversary celebrations of Nigeria's independence
   at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria, 01 Oct 2010

   Nigerian police say they are looking for two men suspected of planning
   Friday's  independence-day  bombings  that killed 12 people. Militants
   claiming  responsibility  for  that blast say security services are to
   blame  for  the  deaths  because  the  group's warnings were not taken
   seriously.  Nigeria's  president  says  those  behind the bombings are
   using  the  struggles  of the oil-rich Niger Delta to camouflage their
   terrorism.

   Nigerian  police  released  photographs of their prime suspects in the
   attacks  -  Ben  Jessy  and Chima Orlu. A third man is under arrest in
   South Africa. Former militant leader Henry Okah says he had nothing to
   do  with  the  bombings.  Okah was released from Nigerian custody just
   last year as part of a Niger Delta amnesty program.

   President  Goodluck  Jonathan says security forces are on the trail of
   those  responsible  for  the violence and will not rest until everyone
   involved is brought to justice.

   The  Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta - or MEND - says
   it  carried  out  the  independence  day  bombings because Nigeria has
   nothing  to celebrate after 50 years of failure, including the neglect
   of the people and the environment in the oil-rich delta.

   But  President  Jonathan  says  the  attack was carried out by a small
   terrorist group from outside Nigeria that is using the problems of the
   Delta as a disguise.

   "What  happened  had  nothing  to  do  with the Niger Delta," he said.
   "People  just  use  the  name  of  MEND  to camouflage criminality and
   terrorism."

   Mr.  Jonathan  came to office earlier this year following the death of
   President  Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. He is the first Nigerian leader who is
   from  the Niger Delta, so Niger Delta violence is a big issue for him,
   especially  as  he  is  running for president next year. On a hospital
   visit  to  those injured in the attacks, he told reporters that no one
   can  claim  to  be  more  Niger  Delta  than him, so he is certain the
   bombings had nothing to do with the problems of the Delta.

   "They  are  not  struggling  for  anybody.  They  are not representing
   anybody's  interest.  And  the  release  purported  to  be  from  MEND
   attributing to the lack of attention to the Niger Delta is not tenable
   because  this  is the first time somebody from the Niger Delta has the
   opportunity  to even be president of this country for four months," he
   said.  "So  whatever  your  grievances are, you have your own [leader]
   here. You should have some hope. Good things do not happen overnight."

   Some former militants who joined the amnesty program appear to back up
   the president's claim that the bombing was not the work of MEND.

   "Those  who do that bombing we don't know where they come from. All of
   our  MEND  from Delta State and Bayelsa, everybody is surprised by the
   bombing,"  said Cross Ebikosore, a former MEND commander in the Delta.
   "We  do  not  support the bombing at all. Those who are bombing Abuja,
   they are not fighting for our rights. They are looking for their other
   type of thing they want."

   Human  rights  activist Oke Adheke says turning Nigeria into a country
   where people settle political scores by killing one and other does not
   serve the interests of the Delta.

   "Let's  draw the line between political struggle and criminality. This
   is pure criminality," said Adheke. "Full stop. You can not say you are
   fighting for me when we have a lot opportunities for dialogue. Nothing
   calls for this kind of behavior."

   Pastor  Sylvester Odemakpore, who has been involved in the Niger Delta
   amnesty,  says  the  legitimate demands of militants must be addressed
   through dialogue not violence.

   "Let  us  see  what the present government, the president leaders will
   do,"  said  Odemakpore. "If they did not measure up before or whatever
   measures they will take they will continue. But for now we should stop
   the killing."

   Thousands  of  former  fighters took part in last year's amnesty which
   promised  monthly  stipends  and  job  training  as  well  as  greater
   investment  in the Delta's infrastructure. Some of those militants now
   say  the  federal  government  has  failed  to keep its word. Violence
   resumed  in  March  with  a  car bombing near the site of a meeting to
   discuss the amnesty.

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