U.N. Condemns Attacks on Churches in Nigeria

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the attacks targeting Christian churches in Nigeria and called for an end to violence there.

"The secretary general expresses his sympathy and condolences to the people of Nigeria and to the bereaved families who have lost loved ones," a spokesman for Ban said Sunday.

"The secretary general calls once again for an end to all acts of sectarian violence in the country and reiterates his firm conviction that no objective sought can justify this resort to violence," the spokesman added.

Bomb attacks on churches during Christmas services and a suicide blast killed at least 40 people in Nigeria in violence claimed by Islamists.

A purported spokesman for Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing of the church outside the Nigerian capital and other attacks.