Jonathan Confirms Arrest of UN Building and Police HQ Bombers

President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday said his administration had been making progress in the war against terror as evident in the arrest of some Boko Haram members suspected of involvement in the deadly attacks on some prime targets. Jonathan, in a speech during a service at All Saints Church (Anglican Communion) in Abuja, where he worshipped for the New Year, told the worshippers that many of the suspected terrorists were now in custody as a result of the diligence and steadfastness of law enforcement agents and security operatives nationwide.
According to him, among the suspected bombers arrested were those who attacked the police force headquarters in Abuja, the United Nations building, also in Abuja, and the Saint Theresa’s Church in Madalla, near Abuja.
The president pledged that security agencies would be strengthened this year, just as he called for prayers from Nigerians for government to surmount the security challenges.
He said: “The church’s prayers have been helping us to stabilise the country at the time of challenges. There was a time the country was drifting and everyone thought the country would not endure but the prayers rescued us.
“We shall overcome terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery with more prayers from the church.
“Most of the terror suspects have been arrested. Most people will not know what the security agencies have been doing. The people who bombed the police headquarters, UN House and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla have been arrested. We will continue to improve the nation’s security architecture.”
Jonathan assured Nigerians that the New Year would be better for the country, as the Federal Government would focus on providing employment to many people and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Earlier in his sermon, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Nicholas Okoh, said the Anglican Church all over the world was celebrating the naming and circumcision of Jesus Christ as well as the New Year.
He urged Nigerians, including the clergy, businessmen, civil servants and politicians, to purify their hearts.
He also challenged teachers and academics as well as students who dress indecently on campuses to “circumcise their hearts”.
He chastised market women who sell fake products, transporters, who hike fares during festive periods, kidnappers, armed robbers and members of the Boko Haram sect for their various misdeeds and urged them to turn a new leaf in the New Year.
According to him, traditional rulers and university authorities who sell doctoral degrees and titles to those who are not worthy of them also need to “circumcise their hearts”.
The president was accompanied to the church by his mother, the Minister of Police Affairs, Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide.