Iran Condemns Nigeria Terrorist Attack
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s foreign ministry roundly condemned a terrorist attack by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s northeast village of Gumsuri, in which militants killed at least 32 people and kidnapped 185 others, mostly women and children.
In a message released on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham expressed deep sorrow over the death of “innocent people” and called for the immediate release of the “defenseless abductees.”
Nigeria's military on Friday confirmed a deadly attack by Boko Haram in Gumsuri but said reports of a mass kidnapping needed to be verified.
"Troops are patrolling the general area of Gumsuri in search of terrorists," a statement from defense ministry spokesman Chris Olukolade said.
"Although it has been confirmed that some people were killed by the terrorists during the attack, the reported abductions as claimed by unidentified sources being quoted in some foreign media is yet to be verified from any credible sources in the community," he added.
At least 32 people were killed in the attack that began late Sunday and at least 185 others, mostly women and children, were kidnapped, witnesses and local officials were quoted by AFP as saying.
The attack recalled the mass abductions in the nearby town of Chibok in April, when more than 200 girls were seized by the militants in a raid on a school.