Iran condemns Boko Haram’s deadly attack in Nigeria

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham, has condemned a recent deadly terrorist attack by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria.

According to Thursday reports, Boko Haram militants raided a small village in northeastern Nigeria, killing 35 people and abducting about 185 others, mostly women and young girls.

Afkham lamented the death of civilians in the raid and urged the immediate release of all the abductees.

The news of the incident in the remote farming village of Gumsuri emerged on Thursday but the attack had taken place a few days earlier.

“The terrorists were armed to the teeth,” said a village resident who survived the attack. “They had AK-47 rifles and other weapons. They also had petrol bombs, which they used in setting the village ablaze.”

The village of Gumsuri is 20 kilometers from the northeastern town of Chibok, where Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in April. Dozens of the students escaped that attack, but more than 200 of the girls are still held captive.

The mass kidnapping in April drew international outrage and condemnation.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

Since the beginning of its operation five years ago, Boko Haram militants have raided a number of towns and villages, kidnapping hundreds of people. Their attacks have also left many others killed.