UN Security Council Strongly Condemns Escalating Boko Haram Attacks, Warns Of ‘Crimes Against Humanity’

              The United Nations Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the recent escalation in attacks conducted by Boko Haram, and expressed its deep

concern that the activities of the extremist group, including a spate of shocking suicide bombings across northern Nigeria, are undermining peace and stability in the

West and Central African region.

"The Security Council demands that Boko Haram immediately and unequivocally cease all hostilities and all abuses of human rights and violations of international

humanitarian law and disarm and demobilise," declared Cristian Barros Melet, Chile’s Permanent Representative to the UN and President of the Council for the

month of January, reading out an approved statement during a formal meeting.

In the statement, the Council also strongly condemned and deplored all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by the terrorist

group Boko Haram, since 2009, ‘including those involving violence against civilian populations, notably women and children,’ and demanded ‘the immediate and

unconditional release’ of all those abducted by the group, including the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok, northern Nigeria, last April.

The UN body’s condemnation of the terrorist group follows Boko Haram’s recent suicide bombings on 10th and 11th January in the towns of Maiduguri and

Potiskum as well as attacks in Baga which resulted in the "massive destruction of civilian homes and significant civilian casualties." The Council statement also

cited increasing attacks in the Lake Chad Basin region along Nigeria’s borders and noted overall that some of Boko Haram’s acts "may amount to crimes against

humanity."