Foreign Minister Brende condemns attack in Nigeria
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 10/01/2015 | Last updated: 12/01/2015
‘I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news that once again a young girl has been used as a suicide bomber, this time at a market in the city of Maiduguri in north-eastern Nigeria. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.
At least 15 people were killed and over 50 people injured in the attack, which came just a few days after the latest Boko Haram assault on the town of Baga, close to Lake Chad, which killed a great number of civilians. Baga and its surrounding villages are now deserted and uninhabitable following these attacks.
Boko Haram has forced 1.5 million people to flee their homes in Nigeria, and a great many people have taken refuge in the neighbouring countries Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
‘I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to the families of those killed and to all those who have been injured. I deplore this latest act of terror, and the many others carried out by the extremists in the terrorist organisation Boko Haram, in the strongest possible terms. I welcome the cooperation that has been initiated between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries to fight extremism of this kind. Norway will use relevant channels to support the Nigerian authorities and international and national organisations in their work to help the hard-hit population,’ Mr Brende said.