22nd November, 2017
Amnesty International has described as deplorable Tuesday’s suicide attack against Muslims in a mosque at Mubi, Adamawa State by Boko Haram.
More than 50 people were killed in the attack which occurred during the early morning prayers.
In a statement, Osai Ojigho, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, condemned the attack and urged Boko Haram to stop targeting civilians and using children for suicide missions.
Read his statement below:
“Today’s attack appears to be yet another example of Boko Haram’s continued unlawful disregard for human lives. Boko Haram must immediately stop the targeting of civilians and must be held accountable for all the atrocities it has committed, including the use of children for suicide missions.”
”Nigerian police have confirmed to us that 50 people have been confirmed dead so far following the early morning suicide attack at the mosque in Mubi in Adamawa State.
”This is the deadliest attack on civilians by the militant group since the start of the year. It is deplorable that the attack was launched at a time when civilians were congregating for dawn prayers. It happened only days after the reported abduction and beheading of six farmers in Dimge village in Mafa local government area, Borno state.
”Since 2010 Amnesty International has been documenting human rights abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law by Boko Haram that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. “This year Boko Haram has killed 357 civilians during 55 attacks in northeastern Nigeria. The deadliest month was in August, when the militant group killed 100 people, followed by November, with 76 people killed already,” said Amnesty International Nigeria country director, Osai Ojigho.
“While no group has claimed responsibility for this deadly attack, it bears all the hallmarks of the Boko Haram atrocities documented over the years by Amnesty International. This wanton and deliberate targeting of civilians must end. All parties to the ongoing conflict in northeast Nigeria, including Boko Haram, are bound by the rules of international humanitarian law, which explicitly prohibits any direct attacks against civilians and civilian objects.”