The African Union (AU) has “strongly condemned” the bomb explosions that rocked Maiduguri, Borno state capital, on Monday night.
The police said 23 persons were killed and 108 others injured when explosions went off at three different locations in Maiduguri during the breaking of fast by Muslims on Monday.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu directed security chiefs to relocate to the city.
The president also condoled those who lost their lives in the bombings and sympathised with the injured, expressing solidarity with residents of the state, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy.
Reacting to the attacks in a statement issued on Wednesday by Nuur Sheekh, his spokesperson, Mahmoud Youssouf, AU chairperson, said the organisation “stands in full solidarity with the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during this difficult time and extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, while wishing speedy recovery to those injured.”
“The Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s unequivocal rejection and firm condemnation of all forms of violence perpetrated by terrorist elements and violent extremist groups against civilian populations and security officials,” the statement reads.
Such acts, according to the AU chair, constitute a grave violation of human rights and undermine peace, security and stability within communities.
Youssouf commended the federal government and Borno state government for their sustained and collective efforts in countering terrorism and improving security conditions in Maiduguri and its environs over recent years.
He said the latest tragic incident underscores the persistent threat posed by terrorism and the need for continued vigilance and resilience.
Youssouf urged the “international community to scale up support to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region at large” to address rising terrorism.
The support, he said, should come through enhanced humanitarian assistance, capacity-building, intelligence-sharing, and sustained investment in stabilisation and development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of violent extremism.
“The African Union reaffirms that only through a whole-of-society, collective security and action approach, strengthened cooperation, and sustained commitment can the threat of terrorism be effectively defeated and lasting peace secured, in line with relevant African Union instruments and frameworks on conflict prevention, counter-terrorism, and peacebuilding,” he added.
Youssouf further reaffirmed the AU’s full solidarity and unwavering support to the federal government in promoting sustainable peace and stability in the country.
