UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon Visits Nigeria After Boko Haram Ambushes Army Chief's Convoy

Category: Nigerian National News

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon receives a bouquet of flowers on arrival at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Ingternational airport in Abuja, Nigeria on August 23, 2015. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived Sunday in Nigeria for an official two-day visit, as the West African nation battles Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The U.N. chief, who flew into the capital, Abuja, will meet for the first time with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa to discuss the regional war on Islamic extremism.

Mr Ban Ki-moon in a private meeting with some governors said, "Across our world, we see insecurity, inequality, growing divides," According to a U.N. statement, “Here in Nigeria, you know the challenges all too well - including the rise of extremism and the lack of equal opportunity. I know this is a deep and vital challenge - in particular for the governors of the northeast.”

The secretary-general is visiting Nigeria to commemorate a deadly attack on the United Nations by Boko Haram militants. Apart from meeting Nigeria’s new president, Ban is expected to lay a wreath in Abuja for the fourth anniversary of the attack. The U.N. chief is also scheduled to dine with industry leaders and the country’s state governors to discuss "democracy, human rights and countering violent extremism.” It’s the second time Ban has traveled to Nigeria since taking office in 2007.

“This is also a time of hope. I want to commend you and all of Nigeria's leaders for the peaceful democratic transition of power,” Ban said on Sunday.

Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Nigeria began shortly after suspected Boko Haram militants ambushed a convoy carrying the country’s army chief on a tour of towns in Borno state on Sunday. One Nigerian soldier died in the attack, while 10 militants were killed and another five captured. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was appointed Nigeria’s new chief of army staff in July, survived the ambush unharmed.

"This a crucial moment for Nigeria," Ban said in Abuja Sunday. "You face many serious challenges, but you have also taken a hugely important step to move forward in a way that can respond to the aspirations of the country's people."

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