Jos Bomb blast: House of Reps mourn victims, Muslim women demand urgent action

The House of Representatives on Wednesday condemned Tuesday’s twin bombings in Jos, the Plateau State capital, which claimed over 100 lives.

The lawmakers’ reaction came as the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria called on the National Assembly to do everything within its powers to end the killings and destruction of property in the country.

In a resolution in Abuja, the House said the attacks had again challenged security agencies in the country to redouble their anti-terrorism efforts.

A member from Plateau State, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, who moved a motion on the tragedy, simply described it as “very very saddening indeed.”

Kaze noted that though the blasts occurred in Jos, “all of us as Nigerians are affected; it is our loss.”

He added that relatives or associates of non-Jos residents could have been victims of the attacks.

Kaze appealed for intervention by the House to ensure that the victims were given relief by the National Emergency Management Agency.

He also solicited the assistance of the Plateau State Government to bankroll the medical expenses of the injured victims.

Lawmakers endorsed the motion in a unanimous voice vote.

In a separate resolution, the House asked security agencies to brief members monthly on the “effectiveness of the measures” put in place in   the three states under emergency rule.

The states are Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

A member from Adamawa State, Aisha Ahmed, who moved the motion, recalled that in 2013 “over N300bn” was voted for security by the National Assembly.

But, she noted that little success appeared to have been recorded in terms of combating insurgency, in spite of the huge spending on security.

The Muslim women, who were led by Mrs. Farida Yusuf, met with Tambuwal at the National Assembly.

They expressed concern over what they described as the apparent state of “hopelessness” in the country, owing to insecurity.

Yusuf urged the House to continue to intervene, either by making laws or appropriating funds to fight insecurity.

Tambuwal assured the women that the House would continue to support the Federal Government to bring insurgency to an end.

He identified corruption as a major setback for most government decisions and actions.

The Speaker noted that the issue of accountability in governance had frequently caused conflicts between the House and the executive arm of government.

Source: Punch