By Blessing Chinagorom
At least 115 people were killed by armed gunmen at the Crocus City Hall in a suburb on the northern edge of Moscow on Friday as the concert hall was set ablaze, according to reports.
It was gathered from several Russian media outlets that automatic weapons were used in what many have termed ‘one of the worst of attacks in Russia in years’.
The United States through the Secretary of States, Antony Blinken reacted, condemned the deadly terrorist attack, while condoled the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime.
According to the statement released on Saturday stated that, “We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime.
“We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event”, the United States said.
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his reaction, condemned attack on Moscow, also expressed deep sorrow, condolences for the deadly crime to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the phone.
According to him, “We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack targeting innocent civilians,” Erdoğan told a public rally in the capital Ankara. “Terrorism unacceptable no matter who it comes from or who the perpetrator is.”
Erdoğan told the Russian leader that “the attack demonstrated the need to end the crises in the region peacefully as soon as possible”, adding that Türkiye was ready to cooperate with Moscow in the fight against terror. “We’ll continue to fight against terror, the common enemy of humanity.”
Nigeria through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement, sent the country’s sympathy and condolences to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
He said, “We convey our deepest condolences to the people and Government of Russian Federation on the tragic attack carried out at the Crocus Concert Hall in Moscow that resulted in death of innocent people and injuries to more than a hundred others.
“The Government and people of Nigeria commiserate with the victims of this tragic attack and pray for the repose of their souls.
“We also pray for the quick recovery of those injured.
“At this challenging time, we stand in brotherhood with the government and Russian Federation and send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Russian president, His Excellency Vladimir Putin,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, In the wake of the attack that killed at least 115 people, the president declared Sunday, March 24, as the day of national mourning.
He said, “I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. The whole country and our entire people are grieving with you”.
Putin, in a televised disclosed that the all four people directly involved in committing the attack were arrested on their way to Ukraine, where “a window” was prepared for their escape.
“All four direct perpetrators of the terrorist attack, all those who were shooting and killing people, were found and detained.
“They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them from the Ukrainian side to cross the state border. A total of 11 people were detained,” he said.