Nigeria's opposition party condemns bomb attacks near Abuja

Nigeria's main opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Friday night's bomb attacks in Nyanya and Kuje satellite towns of Abuja, describing them as barbaric and cowardly.

Spokesperson for the party Olisa Metuh said in a statement made available to Xinhua on Sunday that the party was shocked by the news of the gruesome attacks in the two towns which claimed the lives of several citizens.

A total of 18 people were killed and 41 others injured by the three explosions in Abuja.

The bombing attacks took place one day after 14 people were killed and 39 others injured in devastating multiple blasts which rocked parts of Nigeria's Maiduguri city.

The PDP said the senseless and wicked attacks came barely 24 hours after the nation celebrated its 55th independence anniversary.

"It is time when the citizens and their leaders should renew their faith in the oneness and progress of the nation," it added.

The statement said the PDP deeply grieves for the continued acts of terrorism, especially in the northern parts of the country, where insurgents are still slaughtering innocent Nigerians almost every day.

"We all, as Nigerians, must therefore close ranks and present a common front in support of our government and security forces in the fight against terrorism in our country," the PDP added.

The party reaffirmed its support for the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration aimed at ending the insurgency.

The PDP, however, urged the government to pay more attention to issues of intelligence gathering, as well as social and direct military actions against terrorism.

The party also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, while supporting and praying for the security forces as they strove to ensure the safety of the citizenry.

Boko Haram, a local insurgent group seeking an end to Western education, is blamed for the attacks. The group, which started its operations in 2009, often claims responsibility for such attacks in the West African country.

In 2014, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for series of bombing which took place in Nyanya. Scores of people were killed in the devastating attacks.

The group has allegedly killed more than 13,000 people and abducted hundreds in its six-year insurgency. Endit