THE UNITED NATIONS - The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, strongly condemned the triple suicide attacks that took place on Sunday in Konduga, Borno State, north-east Nigeria, in which three children we used to detonate explosives. In total, at least 30 people were killed and another 40 were injured.

According to reports on the ground, two girls and one boy detonated the bombs at a community football viewing centre.

“It is unacceptable that children should be used in this way,” said the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), appealing “to all those involved in this terrible conflict to protect children at all times and to keep them out of harm’s way” in line with international humanitarian law.

According to the agency, this incident brings the number of children recorded as having been used as human bombs this year to five. In 2018, 48 children – including 38 girls – were used in so-called “suicide attacks”.

Mr. Guterres sent his “sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Nigeria” and wished “a speedy recovery to the injured,” hoping that “those responsible for these attacks will be swiftly brought to justice”. He reiterated the solidarity of the UN with the national and regional efforts against terrorism and violent extremism.