Secretary-General, Condemning Deadly Bombing at Boarding School in Nigeria, Expresses ‘Outrage at Frequency and Brutality’ of Attacks

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon:

The Secretary‑General strongly condemns the suicide bombing today at the government boarding school in Potiskum, in northeastern Nigeria’s Yobe State, which has reportedly killed dozens of students and wounded countless others.  He extends his sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved and to the Government and people of Nigeria.

The Secretary‑General is outraged by the frequency and brutality of attacks against educational institutions in the north of the country and reiterates his demand for an immediate cessation to these abominable crimes.

The Secretary‑General calls for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice through a process respectful of Nigeria’s human rights obligations and for adequate security measures to be provided for the protection of civilians.  The Secretary‑General reiterates his firm conviction that no objective justifies wanton violence against civilians.