WE add our voice to numerous others from all over the world in condemnation of the barbaric, May 22 bombing of the Manchester Arena where mostly young people converged for Ariana Grande’s concert. To target such innocent young men and women is utterly inhuman and condemnable in the strongest terms. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levante (ISIL), by claiming responsibility for the carnage, has proved once more that it is an enemy of humanity. The more reckless ISIL becomes, the more it strengthens the unity and resolve of the world to end its murderous campaign.
We extend our condolences to the families of the 22 casualties recorded in this incident and wish the 116 persons who were wounded speedy recovery. Their sacrifices will stiffen the resolve of Britons and, indeed, the whole world, to renew their commitment to the total elimination of terrorism, wherever it exists in the world, including Nigeria.
Terrorists are spreading death and mayhem in many parts of the world. Salman Abedi, the 22-year-old Briton of Libyan descent, who detonated the bomb and perished in the blast, should be a study on how the world should henceforth approach the fight against terrorism. The British Police are still putting together all the bits and pieces. Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson of Northwest Counter Terrorism Unit said the terrorist, Abedi “made most of the purchases of the core components” of the lethal weapon himself and was largely alone as he moved about the city, during the four days from his landing in Britain from Libya and committing the awful act.
The global action to fight terrorism must advance from rhetoric to real action. Enough of the talk. We believe that the meeting in Riyadh, a fortnight ago, of nearly 55 Arab and Muslim heads of states and governments with the United States President should be a good start for positive action to, as President Donald Trump said, “drive the terrorists from the face of the earth.”
Terrorists are inventive and slippery. They multiply and spread like cancer, so, they need the concerted and coordinated efforts of all peace-loving nations. It is not going to be easy, as the British have found. The Manchester bombing has led to the arrest of 16 suspects, 11 of whom are still being held. It has needed the services of more than 1,000 police officers.
Intelligence gathering and sharing are key to ensure the terrorists have no hiding place under the sun. All the nations infected by ISIL are known, and Salman Abedi’s landing from Libya should have raised the red flags of the British counter-terrorism units because he fitted the profile. Even if he had had no previous encounter with the law, he deserved some measure of observation to be sure he had not been radicalized.
Among the lessons of the tragedy is the incredibly useful information obtained by the close circuit television which captured the image and the movement of the terrorist with his blue suitcase at so many points in the city, underscoring the need for every city desirous of fighting crime to install CCTV and truly engage operators to man them. The city of Maiduguri, plagued by incessant attacks and threats by Boko Haram, should consider the CCTV a worthwhile investment. The Lagos State Government has said it proposes to install them. We urge it to do so expeditiously. Major Nigerian cities should invest in CCTV as a crime prevention and security measure. Their invaluable help in tracking terrorists has proved they are a great investment in the security of any modern city.
The Manchester bombing
