Security Council Press Statement on Attacks in Nigeria

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Oh Joon (Republic of Korea):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks committed by Boko Haram that occurred in Gamboru Ngala, Nigeria on 5 May causing hundreds of 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 also expressed their profound outrage at and condemned in the strongest terms the abduction of 276 schoolgirls on 14 April in Chibok, Nigeria, as well as the reported abduction on 5 May of eight girls in Warabe, Nigeria.  They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted girls still in captivity and further expressed their deep concern at statements made by the alleged leader of Boko Haram threatening to sell these girls as slaves.

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned all abuses of human rights and, where applicable, violations of international humanitarian law, including those involving sexual and gender-based violence, abductions and attacks against schools and hospitals, including their personnel, and underline that all perpetrators of such acts must be held accountable at national or international levels, and that some of those acts may amount to crimes against humanity under international law.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the ongoing efforts of the Government of Nigeria to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls to their families, as well as international efforts to provide assistance to the Nigerian authorities in this regard and bring the perpetrators to justice.  They called on the international community, in particular States in the region, to work closely with the Nigerian authorities in that regard.

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 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 expressed deep concern at the terrorist attacks conducted by Boko Haram since 2009, which have caused large-scale and devastating loss of life and represent a threat to the stability and peace of West and Central Africa.

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 expressed their intention to actively follow the situation of the abducted girls and to consider appropriate measures against Boko Haram.

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For information media • not an official record