Fire fighters try to put out a fire after a bomb exploded in a crowded shopping centre in Nigeria’s capital Abuja on June 25, 2014. A bomb exploded in a crowded shopping centre in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, killing at least 21 people and wounding 17, police and the government said. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER

Malabo – International condemnations trailed Wednesday’s bomb attack at a shopping mall in Wuse II, Abuja, in which 21 persons were killed.

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon; EU in Brussels and the US Mission in Nigeria, issued separate statements condemning the attack, the third in Abuja in the last two months.

“These heartless and violent attacks on innocent Nigerians are inexcusable and clearly bespeak the criminality of those behind the attacks”, the U.S Mission in Nigeria said.

The U.S extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and called on all Nigerians to support efforts to put an end to “this evil against humanity.”

The statement reiterated U.S’ commitment to support the people of Nigeria in their struggle against violent extremism.

It added that the U.S would continue to help the Federal Government as it works to counter threats to her citizens and national unity.

On his part, the UN Secretary-General, who is attending the AU summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, said he was appalled by the attack and offered his condolences to the bereaved families and the wounded.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his unequivocal condemnation of such attacks; he remains deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Nigeria”, the statement said.

Similarly, the EU demanded that the perpetrators of the attack be brought to justice and called for the release of all those kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorists.

It said the EU had demonstrated increased support for Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and violence and would continue to stand by the Nigeria government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Goodluck Jonathan, who attended the 23rd Ordinary Summit of the AU in Malabo, had to cut short his visit to Equatorial Guinea to return to Abuja.

NAN reports that Jonathan attended the opening ceremony of the summit on Thursday and departed for the airport immediately after the photo-up for African Heads of States and special dignitaries.

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Aminu Wali, is standing in for the President in scheduled meetings he was billed to attend on the sidelines of the 2-day AU summit, which ends on Friday.

The theme of the summit, which is Agriculture and Food Security, has been overshadowed by the security crisis in several parts of Africa, including north eastern Nigeria.

/NAN