UN Security Council slams escalation of Boko Haram terrorist attacks

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) - The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "in the strongest terms" the continued escalation of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists.

In a press statement, the Security Council noted the attacks in Chad, Cameroon and Niger in recent days were "heinous."

The actions of Boko Haram constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, it said.

Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram attacked Ngouboua village in Chad on Friday, killing one local leader, one Chadian soldier and injured several others. It was the extremist group's first attack on Chadian soil.

Since Friday last week, the Nigerien town of Diffa has come under heavy attacks from Boko Haram, which was operating from its bases in neighboring Nigeria.

Reports also said suspected Boko Haram militants attacked the northern village of Kerawa in Cameroon on Sunday.

The Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of acts of terrorism to justice.

"The members of the Security Council reminded states that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular, international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law," said the statement.