UN human rights chief urges Nigeria to thoroughly investigate armed gang attacks

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Thursday urged Nigeria to thoroughly investigate the series of armed gang attacks that killed at least 200 people over the weekend.

Saying that he is "deeply alarmed" by the series of attacks on multiple rural communities in central Plateau State, Volker Turk said in a statement: "I call on the Nigerian authorities to investigate this incident promptly, thoroughly and independently, consistent with international human rights law, and to hold those responsible to account in fair trials."

"The cycle of impunity fueling recurrent violence must be urgently broken," Turk urged.

He stressed that the Nigerian government "should take meaningful steps to address the underlying root causes and to ensure non-recurrence of this devastating violence."