The United States has condemned a string of attacks by Boko Haram militants in northeastern Nigeria that killed more than 200 people in the past week, including a suicide bombing at a church Sunday that left at least five dead.

In a statement, State Department spokesman John Kirby pledged U.S. support for the Nigerian people "in their struggle against violent extremism."

"We continue to support Nigeria's efforts to bring those responsible for these attacks, as well as previous attacks to justice," Kirby said. "As we have said before, the people of northern Nigeria deserve to live free from violence and terror."