The U.N. human rights office Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on several villages in northeastern Nigeria on Sunday that led to the death of more than 150 people. According to media reports, roughly 65 people were killed in seven villages in Adamawa state, while some 90 others were killed in Izge village, Borno state. Many residents have now fled the area for fear of further attacks by the armed men, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported. "We condemn in the strongest terms Sunday's attack by gunmen against eight villages in Adamawa and Borno states," OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva. "We are appalled by the extreme and indiscriminate violence which Nigeria has being witnessing in recent times, including the attacks on two villages on February 11, which left 39 people dead, 65 injured, and reportedly 2,000 homes destroyed," Shamdasani added. OHCHR urged the Nigerian government to do more to provide security and protection to civilians, especially in areas prone to attacks and where a state of emergency has been proclaimed. "We also call upon the authorities to launch a prompt and thorough investigation, and make sure that perpetrators of these gross human rights violations and killings are duly prosecuted and held responsible," Shamdasani said.
