Addis Ababa, 2 May 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, strongly condemns the terrorist and cowardly attack that took place yesterday, 2 May 2014, in the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria, killing at least 19 people and injuring 60 more. She expresses AU’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and Government of Nigeria, and wishes those wounded strength and speedy recovery.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU's full support to the efforts being deployed by the Government of Nigeria to prevent and combat terrorism. She calls for enhanced inter-African cooperation, within the framework of the relevant AU and international instruments, in order to more effectively address this scourge.
Furthermore, the Chairperson of the Commission expresses distress at the fact that over 200 school girls, abducted on 14 April 2014 in the northern Nigerian state of Borno, have not yet been released. She reiterates AU's solidarity with the anguished families and expresses support to the efforts being made to rescue the abducted girls and bring to justice the perpetrators of this abhorrent act.