Kerry reiterates US support to fight terrorism in Nigeria

The United States supports Nigerian authorities to investigate "cowardly" acts of terror and bring the perpetrators to justice, State Secretary John Kerry said Sunday. "Unspeakable violence and acts of terror like the ones committed by Boko Haram last week in northern Nigeria are horrific, wrong, and have no place in our world," Kerry said in a statement issued by the State Department. On Feb. 15, insurgents killed more than 100 people in an attack in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, a stronghold of militant group Boko Haram. Days later, the group launched another attack, killing dozens of people and leaving many others injured. The people of northern Nigeria deserve to live free from violence and from terror, Kerry said. "That's why the United States is providing counterterrorism assistance to help Nigerian authorities develop a comprehensive approach to combat the threat posed by Boko Haram while protecting civilians and ensuring respect for human rights," the top U.S. diplomat said. The U.S. remains a committed partner of the government of Nigeria as it works to root out Boko Haram and associated groups, Kerry added.