Voicing out his shock and sadness after a bomb attack at a bus station near the Nigerian capital of Abuja claimed dozens of lives, United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon on Monday night called on the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration to urgently for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
More than 70 people have reportedly been killed in the bombing, which took place as commuters were about to board buses and taxis to go to work in the capital. Over 100 people are said to be injured in the attack.
Mr. Ban Ki-moon who said he was shocked and saddened by the many lives that were lost on Monday, added that the United Nations would throw its weight behind the federal government to curb insecurity in Nigeria.
He also strongly condemned all indiscriminate killings and acts of violent extremism in the <northern parts of Nigeria, stressing that the perpetrators of this attack, and those responsible for the continuing brutal attacks must be brought to justice.
Also, members of the United Nations Security Council led by the council’s rotational president, Professor Joy U. Ogwu, also strongly condemned the multiple terrorist attacks committed by Boko Haram that occurred in Nigeria on 13 and 14 April, causing numerous deaths and injuries.
In a statement issued by Ogwu, the Nigerian Permanent Representative to the UN, in New York, the Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
The members of the 15-nation body underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Nigerian authorities in this regard.
“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the multiple terrorist attacks committed by Boko Haram that occurred in Nigeria on 13 and 14 April, causing numerous deaths and injuries. The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and expressed their sympathy to all those injured in these attacks, and to the people and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
“The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Nigerian authorities in this regard. The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations” the statement presented by Joy Ogwu on behalf of the council reads.
Source: Leadership
