Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has reiterated concerns about the continued violence by extremists in Nigeria, following another bombing in the country
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has reiterated concerns about the continued violence by extremists in Nigeria, following another bombing in the country.
The latest attack on the Madina mosque in Adamawa state by a teenage suicide bomber on November 21, 2017 caused 50 fatalities and left hundreds injured.
Victims had been attending early morning prayers when they were targeted.
It follows another suicide bombing on October 23, 2017 that killed 14 people in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri in Nigeria.
No extremist group has claimed responsibility for either attack, though Islamist militant group Boko Haram has carried out many similar attacks before in the region.
Boko Haram extremists achieved global infamy three years ago when they kidnapped 100 schoolgirls from their dormitory in Chibok.
Bombings have become the group’s main tactic following a significant loss of their former strongholds.
It is estimated that around 20,000 people have died as a result of Boko Haram’s eight-year insurgency in the country and neighbouring regions.
The Commonwealth Secretariat has been working with regional and national security forces to combat extremist violence and recruitment.
A range of activities and programmes have been implemented to help member countries stop extremists spreading hate and discord through vulnerable communities.
This includes the establishment of the Countering Violent Extremism Unit, which shares and coordinates resources and strategies proven to effectively combat the dissemination and consequences of extremist ideology and actions.
Specific investment has gone into youth engagement and the promotion and protection of human rights.
A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Secretariat said: “We condemn this latest atrocity that has left many innocent people dead, and continue to push forward with our work to counter violent extremism across the Commonwealth.”
