On January 19, 2015 the United Nations Security Council (the Council) issued a Presidential Statement that strongly condemned the recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria and demanded that the terrorist group “immediately and unequivocally cease all hostilities and all abuses of human rights” and release all hostages, including the 276 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014. According to a press release, the Council deplored all human rights abuses by Boko Haram since 2009, “including those involving violence against civilian populations, notably woman and children, kidnappings, killings, hostage-taking, pillaging, rape, sexual slavery, and other sexual violence.” The Council also recognized “that some of such acts may amount to crimes against humanity” and stressed “that those responsible for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law must be held accountable.”  A news article also noted that the Presidential Statement marks the Security Council’s first formal reaction to the activities of the Nigerian extremist group.