Pope Francis III condemns Kano killings

Pope Francis III has described the killing of over 120 worshippers in the Kano Central Mosque as an “extremely serious sin against God.”

The Pope, at a meeting with Turkish leaders urged Muslim leaders to condemn the “barbaric violence” being committed by Islamist groups in the name of Allah.

He spoke just as the   Federal Government promised to supply hospitals in Kano with blood, to save the lives of those injured in the attack by terrorists.

The Catholic Pontiff, who maintained that the use of military might against Boko Haram was justifiable, urged greater dialogue between Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths to end religious fundamentalism plaguing the world.

He said, “As religious leaders, we are obliged to denounce all violations against human dignity and human rights.

“As such, any violence which seeks religious justification warrants the strongest condemnation because the omnipotent is the God of life and peace.”

Also on Sunday, the United Nations   pledged its “full support” to Nigeria in its efforts to end terrorism .

The global body, in a statement   by its Secretary-General, Ban ki-moon,     said there was no justification whatsoever for the attack on worshippers on Friday.

“The UN reaffirms its full support for Nigeria’s efforts to fight terrorism and to provide security to the population consistent with international law and Nigeria’s human rights obligations.”

The UN conveyed its “deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and government of Nigeria” and wished swift recovery to the injured.

The body called on the relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Also, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, condemned the attack and   called on Nigerians to support the military in the fight against insurgency in the country.

Gowon made the call on Sunday at the Church of Nigeria’s end of year thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Abuja.

He said recent happenings in the country indicated that the insurgents were not after Christians alone, stressing that all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethno-religious backgrounds, are potential targets.

Gowon said, ‘‘It is the responsibility of every Nigerian and not only the armed forces to do whatever they need to do in order to restore peace to our country.

‘‘Dealing with the problem of insurgency that is disturbing the country requires the cooperation of all Nigerians, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim.

‘‘Few days ago, you saw what they did not only to the Christian churches but also the Muslim worship places are being targeted for attacks;

‘‘So we need the prayers of all because only God can ultimately deal with this problem more permanently.’’

He expressed confidence that the military would overcome the insurgents and restore peace to the conflict-ravaged North-East.

In his remark, a former Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Peter Akinola, urged Christians to continue with the spirit of loving God and serving Him with their skills, energy and time.

He also frowned on Nigeria’s over dependence on its oil and gas resources, saying   the trend was causing disunity among Nigerians.

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said the attack had shown that Boko Haram was not doing God’s work.

Tinubu lamented in a statement on Sunday that   the sect was doing the bidding of Satan.

He said, “Attacks against numerous locations in the North-East demonstrate how heinous and debased Boko Haram and those who sponsor it have become. So depraved, they have become heartless and filled with enmity against all that is good and proper.

“This was not the act of human beings. These attacks could only have come from the hands of those who do not know God or serve God. This is the act of godless people.The hand of evil, deploying those who have given their selves over to wickedness, committed this terrible thing.

“No reason can be found for what was done except that Boko Haram has once again shown its lust for innocent blood and its disdain for life peacefully lived. Boko Haram killed people praying to God because the god of Boko Haram is Satan himself.”

The former governor said he was confident that Nigeria would overcome terrorism as evil would never overcome good.

He, however, said this was the time for all Nigerians, regardless of religion, to unite to defeat the terrorists.

The APC leader said, “Boko Haram seeks to scare and intimidate Christians and Muslims alike through wanton destruction. They may attack us but never shall this evil force subdue us. Christians and Muslims must stand arm-in-arm to face down this terrorist onslaught.

“Those of us who love peace, who love unity and who love Nigeria can never allow this vile group to achieve its objective – to turn us into a bloodied and divided nation. Nigeria can and will defeat this terrorist machine and those behind it. We have no other home.”

Tinubu commiserated with the people of the state and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health has directed its blood bank in Katsina to supply blood to the hospitals where many of the injured victims of the attack are receiving treatment.

The North-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Musa Ilallah, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria   shortly after visiting Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano on Sunday.

He said, ‘’We went round the hospitals to assess the condition of those who are receiving treatment and we understand that what they needed most are blood and consumables.

‘‘I spoke with the Federal Ministry of Health and they (ministry) have assured me that they will mobilise the blood bank in Katsina to supply blood to the hospitals,’’ he said.

The coordinator said the ministry had also promised to supply drugs and other consumables from Abuja.

Ilallah commended Kano State Government for providing all the needed materials for the treatment of the injured persons.

The Executive Secretary of the state Hospitals Management Board, Dr Kabir Maso-Kano, said lack of consumables was hindering the treatment of the victims.

He, however, commended the residents for coming to hospitals to donate blood to the victims.

The Kano State Government commended NEMA for its prompt response and support to the victims of bomb blast .

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, said,     “We still have many victims on admission in our hospitals, but essentially we need emergency drugs and other consumables, which have since been exhausted.

‘‘We have 48 victims in this hospital. We have some at Nasarawa, Dala Orthopaedic and Aminu Kano Teaching hospitals.

‘‘We are able to contain casualties and most of the dead ones. So the situation is calm now.’’

The commissioner also praised the l public for coming to donate blood since the incident happened.

“We called on members of the public to come and donate blood and we thank God that people have responded positively,’’ Labaran said.

Earlier, the Director, Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Otegbede Charles, who represented the NEMA Director-General, said he was in Kano to assess the situation.

‘‘The director-general mandated me to come and meet with the state government officials on what the agency can do to further alleviate the sufferings of the victims currently on admission,’’ he said.