Teams of the United Nations, Officials Were Attacked on Thursday by Boko Haram.
The officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under heavy attack as they made their way to Bama.
An impeccable source told our correspondent Thursday night that the officials, working for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, were ambushed at an area close to Bama, under Konduga local government area of Borno State.
Konduga is said to be less than 30 kilometers
away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
The UN team, it was learnt, and other donor
agencies were going to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an
intervention mission
The delegation was moving food items and drugs to
the IDPs.
“Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50, armed
with anti-aircraft guns (machine gun mounted on open truck), suddenly emerged
just after Kawuri village and rained bullets on the United Nations motorcade,”
said the source.
“One of the officials confided in one of Daily
Post correspondent that the soldiers saved the day. They fought with everything
they had until Boko Haram retreated into the bush. This would have been a great
embarrassment to Nigeria.
“Four of the soldiers and driver of one of the UN
vehicle was hit. The person beside the driver took control of the vehicle. If
not, it would have been disastrous for the occupants.
“Some officials sustained minor injuries, no
lives was lost in the course of the trauma. All survivors are presently at the
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital”, the source stated.
When contacted, Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman,
told our correspondent on phone that he will get back.
In a statement he later sent, Usman noted that
“Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian escort duty, were ambushed en-route
Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri
village, a few kilometers away from Kawuri.
“The gallant troops, however, successfully
cleared the ambush and exploited up to Afunori.
“Unfortunately, 2 soldiers and 3 civilians were
wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of the United Nations agencies and
other international humanitarian organizations.
“Those wounded
have been evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri and
they are in stable condition.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with our
wounded colleagues, the United Nations and other Non-governmental organizations
whose personnel were also injured in this sad incident.
“We wish to reiterate our determination and
commitment to ensuring safety and security in the North East and safeguarding
the lives of all persons.”
Reacting, Biodun Banire, Public Information
Assistant, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, also
confirmed the incident.
“I just got the information, there was an attack.
Our officials and soldiers were attacked but no casualty.
“All injured are responding to treatment. I can’t
say more than this. I will provide an update later”.
Lets keep praying for our country to get better. And it
surely would get better in Jesus Christ name
Amen
Source:
Daily post news papper
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