Nigeria: UN Suspends Humanitarian Operations in Dikwa and Damasak Following Boko Haram Attacks

The United Nations says it is deeply concerned about recent attacks on humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak areas of northeastern Borno state and has temporarily suspended humanitarian actions in those areas.

UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

He said the UN’s operations in the two areas were being put on hold in order to safely relocate the humanitarian staff to other locations.

He said: “I am deeply concerned about the recent attacks on humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak, affecting humanitarian assets and personnel.

“We have temporarily suspended operations in these areas in order to safely relocate humanitarian staff and are closely monitoring the situation. We intend to resume operations as soon as possible, so that civilians affected by the conflict continue to receive the assistance they need.

“I condemn in the strongest terms attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure which may constitute violations on International Humanitarian Law.”

Despite the change in service chiefs, there have been renewed attacks n recent weeks by Boko Haram terrorists in some communities of Borno state where the insurgency has been raging for more than a decade.

By Abel Ejikeme