Security-Nigeria - Alarmed by the bomb blast that rocked the Police Force headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Senate President David Mark has pleaded with security operatives to rise up to the challenge with a view to ending rampant bomb explosions in the country. Mark sympathised with the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, and urged him not to be deterred, to reinforce his operations in order to arrest the situation. The bomb blast has already claimed some casualties. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, on Thursday, Mark enjoined security operatives to look inwards and arrest the situation.

He expressed grave concern about the unabating spate of bomb blasts in the country, which he noted, is a threat to the security and corporate existence of Nigeria, adding, "No nation has ever progressed or survived in the midst of terror".

Mark contended that no matter the grievances or anger in a man's mind, the resort to violence, terrorism or wanton destruction of lives and property cannot be a way out.

He said there are established channels of redressing or addressing any issue, pointing out that resort to unorthodox means would only aggravate the situation and create more harm.

Mark stressed that the security challenges unarguably called for collaboration and synergy between and among all security agencies to bring the situation under control.

He implored all Nigerians to be security alert and co-operate with security agencies, saying; "those who are committing these heinous crimes do not live in the moon, they live among us.

"I do not think that resort to killings or terrorism would answer our questions. The real answer lies in our ability to come together as a people and address our common problems.

"No one can claim monopoly of any knowledge; we can all contribute our quota positively and make our society a better place".

He said the Senate, and indeed the National Assembly, on its part would make adequate budgetary provision for the security operatives to carry out their legitimate assignments unhindered.

Adetutu Folasade-Koyi Assistant Editor

Daily Independent/17/06/2011