UN chief remembers 23 fallen colleagues in Boko Haram raid in Nigeria

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Monday laid a wreath in honor of victims of a bomb attack targeted at the UN House almost four years ago in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

Before laying the wreath, the UN leader, who was in Nigeria on a two-day official visit, signed the condolence register and met with families of the deceased and the injured, together with officials of the global body.

"I am standing before you and unlike normal circumstances, I am very much humbled to be with you today, thinking about our distinguished fallen colleagues. We pay tribute to our 23 fallen colleagues and men who were so brutally stolen from us. We will remember them forever, as truly the best of humanity," Ban said after laying the wreath at a cenotaph in honor of the victims.

He added: "We join the families in prayers for eternal rest of the souls of the departed and for long and healthy lives of the injured survivors".

At least 23 people were killed and 60 injured on Aug. 26, 2011, when the UN House was bombed in the Nigerian capital. It was the first major bombing of the office of any international organization in Nigeria.

The terror group Boko Haram, which has so far killed more than 13,000 in Nigeria, claimed responsibility for the brutal attack.

"Terrorism must be brought to an end, not only in Nigeria but the world over so that peace could reign among the peoples," Ban declared.

The UN leader hailed the Nigerian government for rebuilding the bombed UN House and encouraged the authorities to continue along the path of reform.

His official visit to Nigeria will be rounded off on Monday, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. Endit