News

UN laments upsurge in Boko Haram attacks, withdraws 260 aid workers

Published

6 years ago

January 10, 2019

The United Nations on Wednesday expressed concern about the upsurge in Boko Haram attacks in the North – East.The UN said since the recent resurgence in the attacks , about 260 aid workers had been withdrawn , lamenting that it had affected its humanitarian service delivery in the troubled region .

It also said that more than 30 , 000 people had arrived in Maiduguri from Baga following the Boko Haram ’ s attack on the town .

A statement by the spokesperson for the UN in Nigeria , Samantha Newport , on Wednesday , said the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria , Mr Edward Kallon , expressed grave concern following an upsurge in violence in the country ’ s North -East region that had caused tens of thousands of innocent civilians to flee their homes .

The statement read in part, “ Clashes on December 26 , 2018 , between Nigerian government forces and non – state armed groups in Baga town , on the shores of Lake Chad, about 200 kilometres north of state capital Maiduguri , triggered the massive displacement , with most women , men and children converging on already congested camps for internally displaced people in Maiduguri or Monguno town .

“ A subsequent attempted attack on Monguno on December 28 , 2018 , has exacerbated the situation , generating further displacement . ”

Newport , quoting Kallon , who was said to have visited Monguno and Teachers ’ Village camp for internally displaced people in Maiduguri , said , “ The impact of the recent fighting on innocent civilians is devastating and has created a humanitarian tragedy . ”

“ It is heart- wrenching to see so many of these people living in congested camps , or sleeping outside with no shelter . Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict and the United Nations is extremely concerned about the impact that violence in north – east Nigeria , especially in Borno State, is having on civilians . ”

The statement said that than “ 30 , 000 internally displaced people have arrived in Maiduguri , mainly from Baga, in recent weeks . The majority of these people have arrived since December 20 , 2018 , often after arduous journeys with young children . These people include an estimated 20 , 000 internally displaced people who have arrived in Teachers Village camp in Maiduguri , stretching the camp ’ s capacity beyond the limit .

“ Some 260 aid workers have been withdrawn from three local government areas ( Monguno , Kala / Balge and Kukawa ) affected by the conflict since November , affecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of people . ”