Nigerian president condemns bomb blasts

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the Christmas Day blasts at Madalla, Jos and Damaturu in a statement issued here late on Sunday. The president said that the acts of killing innocent Nigerians were unwarranted and condemnable. "The bombing of innocent citizens on a day millions of people all over the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, is a dastardly act that must attract the rebuke of all peace-loving Nigerians," he said. "These acts of violence against innocent citizens are an unwarranted affront on our collective safety and freedom," he added. "Nigerians must stand as one to condemn them," the president said in the statement. President Jonathan also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the churches and families who lost their loved ones to the attacks. He bemoaned the unfortunate incidents, saying that they had spoilt the celebratory mood of people across the country. He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remained resolute in resolving the security challenges confronting the nation. The Nigerian leader also said there was no justification for the crime and called on Nigerians to continue to pray for peace in the country, when he received a delegation of the Christian Community in Federal Capital Territory on Sunday. "We have challenges as a nation; even this morning, a very ugly incident happened in a Catholic Church. We are yet to get the number of deaths in the incident, the issue of bombing is one of the burdens we must live with. It will not last forever; I believe that it will surely be over," he said. A bomb occurred on Sunday morning at St. Therasa Catholic Church in Madalla town on the outskirts of the country's capital Abuja after the Christmas Day Sunday Mass, killing at least 25. Another explosion was reported in central Nigerian city of Jos. Three suspected suicide bombers died on Sunday in northeast Nigeria's Yobe State, when the explosives they attempted to use to attack a top military officer exploded prematurely in the city of Damaturu, the Yobe State's capital.