UN chief strongly condemns murder of students at Nigerian college

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “strongly condemns” the murder on Sunday of more than 40 students and the wounding of several others by gunmen at an agricultural college in north-eastern Nigeria, his spokesperson said today.

“He extends his condolences to the families of the bereaved and to the Government and people of Nigeria on this tragic occasion,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to media reports, the students were killed as they slept in their dormitory at the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe state, by suspected Islamist gunmen. North-east Nigeria has witnessed several attacks in recent months resulting in the deaths of students and teachers.

“The Secretary-General is alarmed at the increasing brutality and frequency of attacks targeted against students and teachers in the north of the country and demands an immediate end to such outrageous and senseless crimes. There can be no justification for such violence,” said the statement.

“The Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice and for increasing efforts to be taken to prevent similar attacks and ensure adequate protection of civilians.”