The South African government on Friday joined the international community in condemning the deadly attacks carried out by Boko Haram on 16 villages in Nigeria.

The department of international relations said the attacks on innocent civilians were a contravention of international human rights and a crime against humanity.

“In this regard, the South African government reiterates its stance that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned and South Africa stands firmly with the international community in condemning all forms of terrorism, and these acts in particular,” department spokesman Clayson Monyela said in a statement.

Boko Haram aims to establish an Islamic religious state in northern Nigeria and bordering Cameroon and Chad.

The South African government extended its condolences to the north western African country.

Attacks by Boko Haram have recently intensified with analysts saying this is because of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled to happen next month.

The German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that officials feared hundreds of people were killed when the villages were set on fire, and said that thousands had fled into the bush. SAPA