‘Abuja Bomb Blast Victims, Heroes Of Democracy’

The Chairman of Nsukka local government area, Mr Tony Ugwu, has said that history will remember Nigerians who lost their lives in the October 1 bomb explosion in Abuja as heroes of democracy.

Ugwu said this in Nsukka, Enugu State, on Wednesday, when he led top officials of the council to pay a condolence visit to Mr and Mrs Donatus Aruh, who lost their two children in the incident.

The Aruhs, of Nkalagu Obukpa in the local government area, lost their two children, Chidera and Onyekachi, in the incident that claimed 12 lives.

“Those who died during the 50th independence jubilee anniversary are heroes of democracy.”

“They will forever be remembered in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.”

“The perpetrators of the blast are criminals as well as enemies of the country’s democracy,” he said.

Ugwu said that the people of Nsukka would continue to pray to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“God in his infinite mercy will console you as well as bless you with more children.”

“The people of Nsukka received the sad news with shock and sense of grief,” he said.

The local government boss urged security agencies in the country to fish out all those behind the dastardly act to face the law.

In his remarks, Aruh thanked the council for remembering the family at this moment of grief and agony, noting that he had handed everything over to God.

“The family is happy with the local government for identifying with it at this trial period and sorrow.

“I will not forget October 1, 2010 in my life, because it is the black Friday that snatched my only two male children,” he said.

Our correspondent learnt that Ambrose Ozioko, a nephew to Aruh, as well as his driver, Mr Alfred Onah, also died in the blast.

It was also gathered that Chidera and Onyekachi were pupils of St John Catholic Primary School, Mpape, Abuja.

Highlight of the visit was a minute silence observed for all those who lost their lives during the blast and special prayer that such ugly incident would not happen again in the country.