BOKO HARAM ATTACKS THREAT TO HUMAITY

The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry has said the recent Boko Haram attacks in North-East Nigeria were “nothing less” than a crime against humanity.According to Voice of America (VOA) news, Kerry spoke on Thursday, during a visit to Bulgaria, a day after Amnesty International released satellite images said to show widespread destruction caused by Boko Haram fighters in two towns this month.“It’s an enormously horrendous



slaughter of innocent people, and Boko Haram continues to present a serious threat not just to Nigeria and the region but to all of our values and to all of our sense of responsibility regarding terrorism,” Kerry stated.Kerry called Boko Haram “one of the most evil and threatening terrorist entities on the planet today.”He also said he discussed a possible initiative on Nigeria and Boko Haram with British Foreign Secretary, Phillip Hammond, but did not give further details.Amnesty International released before-and-after satellite images of Baga and nearby Doron Baga in Borno Stat, revealing an estimated 3,700 structures, burnt down soon after Boko Haram seized control of Baga on January 3.The human rights group said interviews with witnesses and local officials suggest that the militants shot hundreds of civilians, including small children and a woman who was in labor.Nigeria’s military put the death toll from the Baga attacks at 150 but local officials have said it is likely above 1,000.Amnesty said on Wednesday that based on its research, Boko Haram may have attacked Baga because it was home to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force; a group of people helping the army fight the Islamist militants.The group has said it is taking territory for a caliphate ruled by Islamic law.