Abuja bomb blast: MEND exonerates Henry Okah

MOVEMENT for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has exonerated Henry Okah from last Friday�s bomb blast at Eagle Square, Abuja during the celebrations of Nigeria�s golden jubilee Independence anniversary.
This was contained in a press release signed by Jomo Gbomo and made available to our correspondent by electronic mail.
According to Gbomo, �Okah has never been involved in any MEND operations but has always been blamed for every attack which is strange to us.
�They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday, September 30 in South Africa.�
Gbomo said MEND �deeply regrets the avoidable loss of lives during our bomb attack in Abuja on Friday October 1, 2010.
�Our hearts go to the families of those killed who we know were sympathetic to our cause. The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives.�
Gbomo said the security forces were also warned one hour to the first bomb blast ahead of the general alert sent to the media and told to steer the public from all parked cars which was not done.
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers State Council, has condemned the bomb blast that killed innocent Nigerians during the celebration of Nigeria�s 50th Independence anniversary at Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Council�s chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu.
�The bomb blast was totally unwarranted and the death of innocent Nigerians who were not responsible for the unacceptable and pitiable condition of Nigeria after 50 years of independence, it is totally unjustifiable. �
The union condoled with the families of those that lost their lives as a result of the bomb blast and called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to quickly immortalise the victims as well as compensate their families adequately.
TUC said �the bomb blast and the accompanying death toll is a clear manifestation of lapses and weaknesses in Nigerian intelligence and security the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of utmost urgency overhaul the entire security machinery in the country as well as take decisive steps that will assure ordinary Nigerians that their governments at both the Federal and State levels can in deed protect them in their fatherland!�
The union also warned that inadequate security may mar the 2011 general elections, noting that all efforts and money committed to making the 2011 elections credible will be another huge waste and disappointment.
According to the union, this is because if people do not feel safe and secured, they will be unwillingly to participate in the 2011 elections!