The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, has pushed for adequate security for aid workers in the north of the area. Mr. Schmale made the call in response to the killing of an aid worker by a soldier who went on the rampage on Thursday in Damboa, Borno State.
He said “It is extremely disappointing and heartbreaking that a soldier in Damboa, Borno, assassinated a member of the staff of the humanitarian non-governmental organization, Médecins du Monde.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I’d like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the assistant worker and her coworkers. I also wish the pilot, who works for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in the region and was harmed in the horrifying attack by an alleged rogue soldier, a swift recovery”.
“All humanitarian workers in northeastern Nigeria deserve our highest praise for their bravery and commitment to carrying on with their work despite usually hazardous and difficult circumstances”. “Therefore, humanitarian workers need to be well protected.” He reiterated.
“I welcome the administration and the military’s efforts to rapidly investigate the tragedy and urge them to enhance corrective measures to prevent similar scenarios in the future,” said Schmale.
According to the press released earlier, Major.-General Christopher Musa, the theater commander of Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the soldier’s killing of the aid worker in a statement issued on Thursday by Major. Samson Zhakom, the Assistant director of Army Public Relations for the command.
He added that the same soldier wounded the co-pilot of one of the UN helicopters and killed another soldier before being neutralized by forces. The injured co-pilot is now stable, while the bodies of the deceased have been sent to Maiduguri’s 7 Division Hospital.
The following corrective actions have been implemented in response to the extremely regrettable situation, according to a thorough investigation into the issue that has already begun. The Nigerian Army has stated that more information will be provided later.
