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Nigeria: Ban condemns deadly terrorist attack; urges fight be grounded in international law

Displaced girls sleep on the floor in a rented house in Yola. IDPs in northeastern Nigeria often share overcrowded rooms and most times are left to fend for themselves.
Fragkiska Megaloudi/IRIN
Displaced girls sleep on the floor in a rented house in Yola. IDPs in northeastern Nigeria often share overcrowded rooms and most times are left to fend for themselves.

Nigeria: Ban condemns deadly terrorist attack; urges fight be grounded in international law

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the terrorist bomb attack in the Nigeria city of Yola, which killed dozens dead and injured scores.

“No political or ideological objective whatsoever justifies the loss of life and terror to which civilians are being subjected,” he said in a statement attributable to a spokesperson regarding yesterday’s attack, which according to media reports killed nearly three dozen people and injured 80.

Mr. Ban reiterated UN support for the Nigerian Government in its fight against terrorism, “which – to be effective – should also be grounded in international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law,” the statement added.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Nigeria, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.