United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, said he had dispatched two top officials of the global body to Nigeria to meet with the government over the bomb attack on the UN building in Abuja on Friday.

Reacting to the attack at a media stakeout held at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Ki-moon who read a statement said he had asked the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, and UN Security Chief, Under-Secretary-General Gregory Starrto, to go to Nigeria immediately to meet with Nigerian authorities.

While declaring the dastardly incident as an attack on those who devote their lives to helping others, Ki-moon said he was mobilizing the UN system to respond to the emergency.

The UN chief also condemned the attack and said he was going to put a call across to President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue.

The full text of his statement reads: "Around 11:00 o'clock this morning, local time, the United Nations House in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, was struck by a car bomb. These buildings house 26 humanitarian and development agencies of the United Nations family.

"This was an assault on those who devote their lives to helping others. We condemn this terrible act, utterly. We do not yet have precise casualty figures but they are likely to be considerable. A number of people are dead; many more are wounded. Nigerian and international search and rescue teams have mobilized and are moving the wounded to hospitals and providing emergency aid.

"I am asking the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, to go to Nigeria immediately and am mobilizing the UN system to respond to this emergency. She will be accompanied by the UN security chief, Under-Secretary-General Gregory Starr, and meet with Nigerian authorities upon arrival in Abuja.

"I am going to call President (Goodluck) Jonathan of Nigeria soon. On this very sad occasion, I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. The United Nations will undertake every possible effort to assist them during this difficult time."

When asked what he thinks was the motive of this attack against the UN, he said, "We'll have to get a full assessment of the situation.

That is why I am dispatching the Deputy Secretary-General and the DSS (Department of Safety and Security) Under-Secretary-General. We will let you know soon

On whether he believes that the security threat in Nigeria had assumed international dimesion, he simply said: "I am sorry; at this time, I do not have any detailed information to share with you. Therefore, I hope we'll have another opportunity to discuss this matter with you. Thank you very much."

Shortly after addressing the press, the UN scribe headed for the Security Council Chamber where he briefed the 15-member council on the attack on the UN building in Abuja.

Members of the Council who had gathered for a debate on Peacekeeping took time to condemn the attack.

The council members also sympathised with the victims, their families, and the government of Nigeriaand, and also pledged support to help tackle acts of terrorism wherever they may occur.

The debate was still on at the time of filing this report.