Pope Francis has pleaded with Islamist militant group Boko Haram to end its terrorism against Christians in Nigeria. The extremist group has killed thousands of mostly Christians since it was formed in 2002.
 
In his Easter message to Catholics around the world on Sunday, the Pontiff expressed concern about the terrorist attacks which have led to the death of many Christians in the West African country.
 
Boko Haram on Saturday claimed responsibility for the rush-hour bombing on last week Monday which ripped through a busy transport terminal the oil-rich country’s political capital Abuja.
 
"Yes, we are the ones who carried out the attack in Abuja," Abubakar Shekau, leader of the terrorist group, said in the video, which was received through the same channels as previous ones. "We are in your city, but you don't know where we are."
 
Seventy-five, killing people were confirmed dead and 141 wounded. Survivors described seeing body parts of other victims severed, shredded and blood splattered all over the terminal.
 
The extremist group also abducted more than 100 girls and young women from a remote north-eastern school hours after the bomb blast. Officials say dozens of the girls have managed to escape, but 85 remain unaccounted for.
 
Monday's explosion in Abuja, 15 minutes' drive from the presidential villa, was the first attack in two years on the capital. Boko Haram’s stronghold is in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.
 
Boko Haram loosely translates as "Western education is sinful” seeks to establish a "pure" Islamic state ruled by sharia. It aims to put a stop to what it deems "Westernization" of the West African country. The group is known for attacking Christians and government targets, bombing churches, attacking schools and police stations, kidnapping western tourists, but has also assassinated members of the Islamic establishment. Violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in an estimated 10,000 deaths between 2002 and 2013.