Suspected Islamist Boko Haram militants have ambushed a United Nations humanitarian aid convoy in north-eastern Nigeria which had a military escort, officials say.
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A source who was close to the action has revealed that troops from the Nigerian intervened timeously in the attack, forcing insurgents to retreat while saving those who had been injured. All other UNICEF, IOM and UNFPA staff are safe.
The convoy on humanitarian mission-to deliver food items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri- was ambushed at Bala, about 85 kilometres to Maiduguri.
“UNICEF continues to urge partners to join the humanitarian response in Borno.to avoid affected populations, including children, being left without assistance”, Fontaine added.
Nigerian Islamists group, Boko Haram made a daring move today by attacking a team of United Nations officials on their way to Bama, Borno State. With more than 2.7 million people uprooted from their homes, the Lake Chad basin is now home to one of the African continent’s biggest humanitarian crises. In past months, The Nigerian government has launched several military operations to eliminate the terrorist threat.
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a United Nations humanitarian aid caravan in northeastern Nigeria, injuring five people and delaying deliveries of supplies.
Boko Haram has been active in northeastern Nigeria since 2009.
“The situation remains extremely serious and UNICEF wants and needs to do more, but that depends on a range of factors, such as access, security and funding”, he explained.
Boko Haram has coerced more than 50 children to carry out suicide bombings from January to June of this year, said O’Brien.
The freed woman who returned with only one of the kids she was kidnapped with, reportedly told family members that her teenage son was gruesomely killed by the Boko Haram fighters.
“The gallant troops however, successfully cleared the ambush and exploited up to Afunori”, Usman said.
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“The forces are coordinating to stabilise the immediate environs”.
