UN, US, UNICEF condemn Yobe school explosion

The international community has condemned Monday’s suicide bomb attack at a government boarding school in Potiskum, Yobe, which killed dozens of students and wounded others.

A statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Abuja condemned the incessant attacks on defenceless civilians in North East Nigeria this past week.

The statement cited recent attacks in Ashura in Potiskum in Yobe, Gombe, Malam Fatori in Borno and Azare in Bauchi State.

The Embassy statement indicated that “while final numbers are not known, scores of persons have been killed or injured in these attacks.

“The U.S. offers its sincere sympathy to the injured and to the families of the murdered.

“We urge the government of Nigeria to investigate these and other attacks to bring the perpetrators to justice.’’

It reiterated U.S. commitment to support the people of Northern Nigeria in their struggle to stop the abhorrent actions of Boko Haram and associated terrorist groups.

In New York, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, also condemned the bomb attack in Potiskum.

Ban extended his sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved and to the government and people of Nigeria.

A statement issued by the world body said “the UN secretary-general is outraged by the frequency and brutality of attacks against educational institutions in the North of the country.

“The UN scribe demands an immediate cessation to these abominable crimes.”

Ban stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice through a process respectful of Nigeria’s human rights obligations.

He also appealed for adequate security measures for civilians.

“The UN secretary-general reiterates his firm conviction that no objective justifies wanton violence against civilians,’’ the statement added.

Also, a statement by UNICEF warned that repeated and relentless attacks on children and schools were attacks on the future of Nigeria.

It expressed concern that Nigeria already had the largest number of children out of school in the world and the attacks on schools would exacerbate the situation.

“We call on those with the responsibility and power to bring the perpetrators of this cruel act to justice, and to uphold their responsibilities to protect children,” UNICEF said in the statement. 

On Monday, 47 students of the Government Science Technical School, were killed in a suicide bomb attack while 79 others were injured, police said.

The suicide bomber disguised as a student, detonated the explosive on the assembly ground of the school – where the students were converged.

The school is one of the densely populated boarding schools for boys, located very close to the
Potiskum General Hospital in the heart of town.

Potiskum is the largest town in Yobe after Damaturu, the state capital.

(NAN)