UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL.

UN urges prosecution of Jos bombers.

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind what he described as the deplorable acts of violence that left 38 people dead in Jos during Christmas.

Ki-moon sent condolences to families of the victims and backed the government’s vow to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said he was appalled by the violence, especially as it happened at "a time when millions of Nigerians are celebrating religious holidays."

He said he “supported efforts by the Nigerian authorities to bring those responsible to justice”.

African Union Commission Chairman, Jean Ping, also expressed sadness at the violence.

Fresh Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Pastor Chris Okotie and Muniru Muse condemned the explosions, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to fish out the perpetrators.

Muse described the explosions as an act of man’s inhumanity to man.

He called on President Jonathan to make good his promise to fish out and punish the perpetrators, urging religious and other leaders to preach peace and harmony.

Muse also challenged all the security agencies, especially the Police, to be more proactive in securing lives and property in the country, adding: "Life must be held sacred.

Okotie, in a statement, said:”We condemn the senseless destruction of lives and property in Jos, regardless of the motives of the perpetrators. This is what we least expect in this Christmas season when we are celebrating Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace."

The African Renaissance Party also called on the government to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the bomb blasts.

ARP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Omenazu Jackson, spoke with reporters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The party said it was not enough for the government to hurriedly set up a commission of inquiry to look into the immediate and remote causes of the multiple explosions, without taking drastic actions against the masterminds.

The deaths of prominent Nigerians like Chief Marshall Harry, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Aminasoari Dikibo, Chief Alfred Rewane, Funsho Williams and Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, among others, have been investigated by different commissions set up the government, without any action taken on their reports.

The unresolved murder cases should be the priority of President Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, as the nation prepares for the next general elections.

ARP said the PDP-led government has not been able to meet the expectations of Nigerians, especially in road construction, electricity, security of lives and property, education, health and transport, among others.