At least 18 people have been killed in a suicide car bombing at the United Nations headquarters in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. The blast, which occurred on Friday morning, destroyed the lower floors of the building and left dozens injured, some critically.
A spokesman for the Islamist group Boko Haram told the BBC that it carried out the attack. The group had previously bombed police headquarters in June. Witnesses said a car crashed through two security barriers and rammed into the building's reception before exploding.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack, calling it "an assault on those who devote their lives to helping others." He announced he would send two deputies to Nigeria. British Prime Minister David Cameron described it as an "appalling attack" and offered condolences.
Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri said, "This is not an attack on Nigeria but on the global community." The UN building housed 26 humanitarian and development agencies and employed about 400 people, though it is unclear how many were inside at the time.
Analysts suggest the scale and target of the attack may indicate links with international terror groups. Earlier this month, US General Carter Ham noted ties between Boko Haram and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb, as well as al-Shabab in Somalia. Such connections could have provided Boko Haram with the expertise for this deadly assault.
