20110104
reuters

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has vowed to make sure that the perpetrators of the bomb blasts in Jos and Abuja on the eves of Chirstmas and New Year were apprehended and brought to justice.

Over 80 people were reportedly killed in Christmas Eve attacks around Jos while reports said the Abuja bomb blast in a popular market inside an army barracks left around 30 dead, although officials say only four were killed in Abuja.

"We will take justice to them wherever they are hiding for our nation's peace and security cannot be sacrificed on the altar of narrow interest. I have instructed all arms of our security establishment to within the shortest possible time find and bring to justice all those behind this cowardly act of utmost wickedness," President Jonathan said in a post on his fan page on facebook.

The President called on Nigerians not to panic, saying this was the intention of those behind the blast. "If we do this [panic] they have won," he said. "So we have to take all necessary steps to bring them to book after swift but thorough investigations while we also allow for no disruption in our plans for a prosperous new year."

Jonathan advised Nigerians to remain united in love in spite of the recent attacks on innocent citizens. "I repeat: they have spoken through deaths and messages of sorrow, now Nigerians will speak through love, unity and justice."