In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Stephane
Dujarric, the UN leader demanded that the perpetrators be brought to book.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the killing of the aid workers and
the circulation of the tragic video online, on Wednesday.
The gunmen who carried out the killing said their victims
were aid workers working for non-governmental organisations.
The UN had earlier stated that the slain workers were
committed humanitarians who devoted their lives to helping vulnerable people
and communities in an area heavily affected by violence.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing, on 22
July, of five civilians, including three aid workers from ACTED, the
International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Action Against Hunger (ACF), by an
armed group in northern Borno State, northeastern Nigeria,” the statement read
Mr Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the
families of the victims and to the Government and people of Nigeria.
He called on the Nigerian authorities to spare no effort in
identifying and swiftly bringing to justice the perpetrators of these killings.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that attacks by a party to an armed conflict that are directed against civilians, including those who are aid workers, violate international humanitarian law. International human rights law and international humanitarian law must be fully respected, including the obligation to protect civilians.”
President Muhammadu Buhari, the European Union and the United States authorities and a few others have condemned the killing, calling for a proactive action.
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