[size=14pt]Nigerian Officials Knew Of Plan To Bomb Abuja As Henry Okah Speaks[/size]
Fri Oct, 01 2010

Facts are emerging that the Nigerian government may have had knowledge of the bomb blasts that marred the celebrations marking the nation’s 50 years of independence of Friday.

Eight people, mostly security personels died in the bomb blasts.

In a failed attempt to stop the attack, the Interpol allegedly raided the home of Nigerian rebel leader, Henry Okah in Johannesburg, South Africa at the request of the Nigerian government.

According to South African sources, a combined team of security officials and the Interpol numbering over 50 conducted the dawn raid on Thursday night. The raid which lasted several hours yielded no result as no weapon was found at Mr. Okah’s home.

Mr. Okah’s South African lawyer, Mr. Kruger was present throughout the duration of the search. Okah was not arrested as no incriminating evidence was found.

Okah told The Times of Nigeria on telephone from South Africa that he was shocked at the blast and was alerted to it by a reporter of the British Broadcasting Service (BBC).

“I was taking a nap when a BBC reporter called to enquire about the Abuja blast. I have no knowledge of it and was as shocked as everyone. The government should look inwards to solve its internal problem. I live in South Africa not Nigeria.” Okah said over the telephone.

The Times of Nigeria can also reveal that the Presidency also made desperate attempt to reach Mr. Okah in the past few days all to no avail.

A former commissioner in Bayelsa State who currently serves as a Senior Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan reached out to Okah and tried to establish communication between Okah and President Jonathan but Okah allegedly declined to speak with Jonathan.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe was also said to have made several attempts to reach Okah on telephone but his calls were not answered. Orubebe has served as a linkman in the past for rebel groups operating in the Niger Delta.

http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com/TON/Article.aspx?id=2839

Now for the serious questions. Was this really MEND or was it, as Okah claims, rotten hands in the government?
A few things trouble the mind, such as;

[list]
[li]How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking?[/li]
[li]Why was the area not evacuated even though warning was given?[/li]
[li]There have been threats of untold mayhem from politicians, was this a manifestation of such a threat?[/li]
[/list]

It could be both gov officials and a faction of MEND.

sbeezy8:

It could be both gov officials and a faction of MEND.

I really wonder if all cars packed within the vicinity of Eagle Square wouldn't normally be thoroughly screened. Something smells really fishy with this bombing.

Okah has no respect for Jonathan.He was also aware of the bombing just like most Government officials.There is just lack of evidence to indict him.

I dont expect this henry okah to say anything different, even if he was privy and infact responsible for this.

Do we mean that there arent surveillance cameras around the eagle square to help investigate this?

the statement by mend that its members that have infiltrated the security agencies were responsible for the facilitation of this exercise makes me curious.

Beaf:

Now for the serious questions. Was this really MEND or was it, as Okah claims, rotten hands in the government?
A few things trouble the mind, such as;

[list]
[li]How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking?[/li]
[li]Why was the area not evacuated even though warning was given?[/li]
[li]There have been threats of untold mayhem from politicians, was this a manifestation on such a threat?[/li]
[/list]

Good questions.
The blame of the death of the innocent people should go to the government.
If MEND wanted to kill innocent people, why would it give warning about the bomb.

Whichever way, it's a national shame! Blame games aren't the best option right now, GJ should get people like Ribadu to run a meticulous background check on the people surrounding him, including the security chiefs.

If Henry Okah was indeed behind this, then govt must have had a clue, hence the Interpol search on his place and the attempts to by Orubebe and Jonathan to reach him.
If Henry Okah is indeed behind this, he'll be making himself persona non grata in the ND.

However, there is still the need for open minds in this issue.

I hope the whole thing wasn't a plot to harm the president and blame on MEND. Anyone can send an email to NEXT and claim to be Somo Gbomo. Infact reviewing d email, it does nt appear to be a MEND communique, no big grammar. Something is wrong somewhere.
Mr President shd ensure the episode is thoroughly investigated and those found culpable brought to justice.
MEND shd also give an official stmt, b4 d whole accusation sticks to dm.

^rotfl @ Somo Gbomo. The name is Gbomo Jomo.

I agree with Beaf. This doesn't seem like something MEND would get into. I am pretty sure they would have bombed an important Abuja building but not where a lot of people are located.

Beaf:

Now for the serious questions. Was this really MEND or was it, as Okah claims, rotten hands in the government?
A few things trouble the mind, such as;

[list]
[li]How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking?[/li]
[li]Why was the area not evacuated even though warning was given?[/li]
[li]There have been threats of untold mayhem from politicians, was this a manifestation of such a threat?[/li]
[/list]

all of the occurrences within such a short period of time are too coincidental. Definitely politicians are the once responsible. Also, isn't the 2-week ultimatum up that was given by that half-dead northern dude?

Think militants, think MEND. Think politicians, think IBB. His romance with bomb didn't start today. Remember Dele Giwa.

Beaf, you have no solid proof and at best, circumstantial "evidence".

I don't want to be involved in one lengthy debate, so I will just answer your question and keep it simple as much as I can.

Beaf:

Now for the serious questions. Was this really MEND or was it, as Okah claims, rotten hands in the government?
A few things trouble the mind, such as;

[list]
[li]How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking?[/li]
[li]Why was the area not evacuated even though warning was given?[/li]
[li]There have been threats of untold mayhem from politicians, was this a manifestation of such a threat?[/li]
[/list]

One. Naija is not the best when it comes to security. Come on now, do not frame the question in such a way that suggest that Naija security are good at perimeter security etc. Is it not the same security forces that was unable to protect the president convoy when he got rammed by a taxi driver? Come on now, be reasonable.


Two. While we rumble and make plenty noise about how big we are and the giant of Africa, please note that fire-safety drills and things like emergency evacuation are strange concept to majority of naijans. Prior to the celebration, were there ever a practice run of possible emergency or were there expert who are good at crowd control and management (with emergency experience) called in? Probably no. So trying to lay the blame, given the fact that we are poor are these things is just a bit lame.


Three. In third world nations, it is one of the characteristics that violence tend to mar potential power struggles (Election, death of a leader, coup etc)

Anyway, you get my point and no, I have no problem with Igbo/MEND/whatever (This part is not directed at you, but those who may miss the point and get crazy)

I don't get why some of you think its not MEND.

Only mr gbomo has access to the email address he normally uses to send emails.

Today's event is exactly like a copy of what happened in delta state which MEND claimed.

MEND has so far claimed responsibility like they always do.

And if it was not MEND, they would have issued a statement since denying it.

while I was just reading this thread,I bent down and saw the hands of the northern cabal in PDP protesting and threatening for non existent zoning working with Violent advocates from south south to rubbish the government of GEJ and scoring a campaign point.

we rejected them quite long ago.

"You cannot discharge a cock to the bush fox because of the extent of her threats"    GBAM!

Xavier.:

I hope the whole thing wasn't a plot to harm the president and blame on MEND. [b]Anyone can send an email to NEXT and claim to be Somo Gbomo. [/b]Infact reviewing d email, it does nt appear to be a MEND communique, no big grammar. Something is wrong somewhere.
Mr President shd ensure the episode is thoroughly investigated and those found culpable brought to justice.
MEND shd also give an official stmt, b4 d whole accusation sticks to dm.

So this is the first time that MEND sent an email to NEXT that they wont know the Email address of the Gbomo whateva


Common sense

Beaf:

Now for the serious questions. Was this really MEND or was it, as Okah claims, rotten hands in the government?
A few things trouble the mind, such as;

[list]
[li]How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking? [/li]
[li]Why was the area not evacuated even though warning was given?[/li]
[li]There have been threats of untold mayhem from politicians, was this a manifestation of such a threat?[/li]
[/list]

I take this as an ignorant statement
The Location of the President Eagle Square wasnt that close to the Bombed place which was at the Ministry of justice near the High court
The president was far away
And someplace parked faraway and trecked to the Eagle square to witness the event
It is not possible to get near the president the Security the president has is unprecedented can not be broken easily 

slap1:

Whichever way, it's a national shame! Blame games aren't the best option right now, GJ should get people like Ribadu to run a meticulous background check on the people surrounding him, including the security chiefs.

Why didnt you say it was Danbazzau's "loyal" boys ??
Rubbish so he appointed the Service chiefs he didnt like or who he felt threatened by huh?
Just recently he changed them

Common sense that is not common

Beaf:

Now for the serious questions. Was this really MEND or was it, as Okah claims, rotten hands in the government?
A few things trouble the mind, such as;

[list]
[li]How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking?[/li]
[li]Why was the area not evacuated even though warning was given?[/li]
[li]There have been threats of untold mayhem from politicians, was this a manifestation of such a threat?[/li]
[/list]

Who are the miscreants? are you not one of them?

xterra2:

I take this as an ignorant statement
The Location of the President Eagle Square wasnt that close to the Bombed place which was at the Ministry of justice near the High court
The president was far away
And someplace parked faraway and trecked to the Eagle square to witness the event
It is not possible to get near the president the Security the president has is unprecedented can not be broken easily  

Dude, I said close to the area where the President was, the bombs exploded near Eagle Square and the President was in Eagle Square. If you think his security cordone stopped at the gates of Eagle Square, then you are ignorant, yet rushing to speak.

mistakay:

Who are the miscreants? are you not one of them?

No, I'm your dad.

chyz:

all of the occurrences  within such a short period of time are too coincidental. Definitely politicians are the once responsible. Also, isn't the 2-week ultimatum up that was given by that half-dead northern dude?

You are indirectly saying that the Northerners are behind this
If i am close to you i would have slapped you   but on a serious note that is unfair
So assuming that is the case,MEND are being controlled by the north (some bas.tard  would soon say IBB)  

Is that what you are saying ?

I really hope MEND is not responsible, really hope they are not.

Just cant imagine what they stand to gain from this.

Even when they bombed atlas cove in my state, Lagos, I sill respected them.

But I can never support/respect them if they are responsible for this.

ElRazur:

Beaf, you have no solid proof and at best, circumstantial "evidence".

Solid proof of what? I only asked questions, I haven't set out to prove anything.

ElRazur:

I don't want to be involved in one lengthy debate, so I will just answer your question and keep it simple as much as I can.
One. Naija is not the best when it comes to security. Come on now, do not frame the question in such a way that suggest that Naija security are good at perimeter security etc. Is it not the same security forces that was unable to protect the president convoy when he got rammed by a taxi driver? Come on now, be reasonable.

I don't understand why you are repeating my very first question to me in a lot of words.
This is my first question; "•How were the miscreants able to smuggle bombs so close to a tightly secure area in which the President was speaking?"
Its practically the same thing you've said.

ElRazur:

Two. While we rumble and make plenty noise about how big we are and the giant of Africa, please note that fire-safety drills and things like emergency evacuation are strange concept to majority of naijans. Prior to the celebration, were there ever a practice run of possible emergency or were there expert who are good at crowd control and management (with emergency experience) called in? Probably no. So trying to lay the blame, given the fact that we are poor are these things is just a bit lame.

All security needed to do was tell people to move, if possible with koboko (at least thats our style). Easy as ABC.
When people either realise that their lives are in danger, their speed tends to improve.
I can bet you that people evacuated themselves after the explosions.

ElRazur:

Three. In third world nations, it is one of the characteristics that violence tend to mar potential power struggles (Election, death of a leader, coup etc)

Anyway, you get my point and no, I have no problem with Igbo/MEND/whatever (This part is not directed at you, but those who may miss the point and get crazy)

True.

xterra2:

You are indirectly saying that the Northerners are behind this
If i am close to you i would have slapped you  but on a serious note that is unfair
So assuming that is the case,MEND are being controlled by the north (some bas.tard dude  would soon say IBB) 

Is that what you are saying ?

Exactly. Odili might be his weapon.

Beaf:

No, I'm your dad.

Your dad is in the swamps looking for non existing fish.

mistakay:

Your dad is in the swamps looking for non existing fish.

That would be your grandad sir.

Beaf:

Dude, I said close to the area where the President was, the bombs exploded near Eagle Square and the President was in Eagle Square. If you think his security cordone stopped at the gates of Eagle Square, then you are ignorant, yet rushing to speak.

See i live in Abuja i pass there almost everyday while i dont think you are in Abuja

Then why the hell did i write that people trekked  to the eagle square?

See it is not very close as it is being said Where is Becomerich when he is needed?  

I dont rush to speak well maybe ppl here do  but i rush to think and annaylse the situation properly

xterra2:

See i live in Abuja i pass there almost everyday while i dont think you are in Abuja

Then why the hell did i write that people trekked to the eagle square?

See it is not very close as it is being said Where is Becomerich when he is needed?

I dont rush to speak well maybe ppl here do but i rush to think and annaylse the situation properly

It really doesn't matter if you live in Abuja or not. What matters is the accuracy of the news we've both heard. Anyways, don't take offense, because I said you rush to speak.
It has been reported that the road where two explosions went off, was sealed to enhance the security of events at Eagle Square. So it was within proximity of Eagle Square. It is also being reported that it is less than a kilometer from where GEJ was. Can you see where I am coming from?

Beaf:

It really doesn't matter if you live in Abuja or not. What matters is the accuracy of the news we've both heard. Anyways, don't take offense, because I said you rush to speak.
It has been reported that the road where two explosions went off, was sealed to enhance the security of events at Eagle Square. So it was within proximity of Eagle Square. It is also being reported that it is less than a kilometer from where GEJ was. Can you see where I am coming from?

Not exactly so,my friends passed through the same road to come visit me
Okay i dint take any offend
And yes but not near proximity