UN Condemns Terrorists’ Attack On Facility, Aid Workers

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, yesterday, condemned Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ attack on its main humanitarian accommodation in Ngala, Borno State.
In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, and made available to newsmen, Kallon said, “I am outraged by the extremely violent attack on this key humanitarian facility where five United Nations staff were staying at the time of the incident”.
He said that on the evening of Saturday, January 18, the humanitarian hub in Ngala was the direct target of a complex assault by heavily armed non-state armed group operatives.
Kallon explained that an entire section of the facility was burned down as well as one of the few vehicles UN agencies rely on for movement and aid delivery.
He disclosed that protective security measures deployed at the humanitarian hub prevented any harm to the staff in the facility.
“I am shocked by the violence and intensity of this attack, which is the latest of too many incidents directly targeting humanitarian actors and the assistance we provide,” Kallon stressed.
“I am relieved all staff is now safe and secure. Aid workers, humanitarian facilities and assets cannot be a target and must be protected and respected at all times.
“Such incidents have a disastrous effect on the lives of the most vulnerable people who depend on our assistance to survive. Many of them had already fled violence in their area of origin and were hoping to find safety and assistance in Ngala.
“This also jeopardizes the ability for aid workers to stay and deliver assistance to the people most in need in remote areas in Borno State.
“I call on all parties to the conflict to respect the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality which guide the assistance the humanitarian community delivers in the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe”, he stated.
It would be recalled that aid workers are providing assistance to more than 55,000 people in the town of Ngala, near the border with Cameroon.