26 August 2011, Secretary-General’ s press encounter on attack on UN in Nigeria

26 Aug 2011

26 August 2011, Secretary-General’ s press encounter on attack on UN in Nigeria

Around 11:00 o’clock this morning, local time, the United Nations House in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, was struck by a car bomb. These buildings house 26 humanitarian and development agencies of the United Nations family. This was an assault on those who devote their lives to helping others. We condemn this terrible act, utterly.

We do not yet have precise casualty figures but they are likely to be considerable. A number of people are dead; many more are wounded.

Nigerian and international search and rescue teams have mobilized and are moving the wounded to hospitals and providing emergency aid.

I am asking the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, [to go] to Nigeria immediately and am mobilizing the UN system to respond to this emergency. She will be accompanied by the UN security chief, Under-Secretary-General Gregory Starr, and meet with Nigerian authorities upon arrival in Abuja.

I am going to call President [Goodluck] Jonathan of Nigeria soon.

On this very sad occasion, I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. The United Nations will undertake every possible effort to assist them during this difficult time.

Q: Mr Secretary-General, what is your idea about the motive of this attack against the UN?

SG: We’ll have to get a full assessment of the situation. That is why I am dispatching the Deputy Secretary-General and the DSS [Department of Safety and Security] Under-Secretary-General. We will let you know soon.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, no group has claimed responsibility for this incident yet. But in June, when the Nigerian President came to the UN, he was asked questions about Boko Haram, an Islamic group [in] northern Nigeria, and he said the Boko Haram issue was a domestic issue. With this attack now at the UN building in Abuja, do you consider the threat in Nigeria – has the threat in Nigeria assumed international dimensions?

SG: I am sorry; at this time, I do not have any detailed information to share with you. Therefore I hope we’ll have another opportunity to discuss this matter with you. Thank you very much.