U.N. condemns Nigerian terror attacks

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council condemned last week's terrorist attack in Nigeria, saying no goal can be obtained through attacking innocent people.

Nigerian militant Islamic sect Boko Haram claimed responsibility for an attack last week that left at least 65 people dead in the northern city of Damaturu.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group," the Security Council stated.

The attack came a day after three Boko Haram suicide bombers attacked a military building in neighboring Borno state.

The Islamist sect was blamed for the October deaths of a Nigerian lawmaker and a journalist, both allegedly assassinated in front of their homes.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for an attack that left dozens of people dead and many more injured at the U.N. offices in Abuja in August.

The group was allegedly linked to al-Qaida, though analysts said the group was in reality trying to exploit political differences in Nigeria.

Husaini Monguno, a Nigerian counter-terrorism analyst, told Voice of America that direct links between the groups were unlikely.

"If you look at the pattern of al-Qaida operations, it is quite different from Boko Haram," he said.