Suicide bomber targets U.N. facility in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria – At least 18 people were killed Friday when a suicide bomber smashed a car through the gates of the U.N. headquarters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, raising fears that a homegrown Islamic militant group inspired by the Taliban is widening its attacks to include Western targets.

A spokesman for Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack, the most serious by the group based in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north that some believe is forging links to al-Qaida.

“More attacks are on the way, and by the will of Allah we will have unfettered access to wherever we want to attack,” the spokesman, Abu Darda, said by phone.

The blast just before 11 a.m. left a gaping hole in the four-story building, which houses about 400 people working for 26 U.N. humanitarian and development agencies. It’s not clear how many were present, but dozens were injured.

Witnesses said the driver rammed the lower floor of the building. They reported a huge explosion and seeing bodies scattered on the ground in front of the building.

It was Boko Haram’s first attack on an international target. The group has targeted government buildings such as police stations, mainly in the north, including a June attack on the police headquarters in Abuja that left six dead.

“Boko Haram” means “Western education is a sin.” The group opposes the Nigerian government and Western culture and wants to impose a strict Islamic state across Nigeria. Security analysts fear the group may be getting external support – and may have developed links with al-Qaida.