United Nations Condemns Borno K!lling of Scores of Civilians, Calls for Protection of Innocent Citizens
The Resident Humanitarian Coordinator,United Nations in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall has called on security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous attack and swiftly bring them to justice, as well as need for the immediate release of all those abducted.
By: Olufemi Orunsola
Following the reported killing of scores of innocent civilians at Darajamal Village, Bama Local Government Area, in Borno State by a Non-State armed group (NSAG), over the weekend, the United Nations (UN) has condemned the inhuman act, expressing sadness over the mindless attacks and calling for more action to protect innocent civilians.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Resident Nigeria Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall made the position of the international body on the incident known in a statement.
Fall, who revealed that preliminary reports indicated that more than 50 civilians were killed during the attack, noting that, ‘An unknown number of people were also allegedly abducted, with others fleeing with injuries. At least 28 houses were also reportedly burned during the attack. The number of casualties is expected to change as more information becomes available.'
His words, "On behalf of the United Nations in Nigeria, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and those affected, and to the Government and the people of Borno State and wish the injured a speedy recovery’.
The Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, therefore called on security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous attack and swiftly bring them to justice, as well as need for the immediate release of all those abducted.
‘This recent killing of civilians is yet another grim reminder of the toll of rising violent attacks and insecurity in Borno State this year. Multiple attacks against civilians have been recorded leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians in Borno alone’, he wrote.
Fall further noted that, ‘The attacks, ranging from targeted attacks on communities to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, using improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings and other tactics have targeted civilians including farmers, fishermen, travelers and traders’.
In his statement, he also pointed out that deadly attacks against civilians have equally been recorded in neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states with a rural health centre, grain stores and a market among targeted areas.
The Humanitarian Coordinator reiterated his call to parties to the conflict to protect civilians as well as their property and to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law, and reaffirmed United Nations (UN) commitment to continue supporting people affected by conflict to complement government efforts.
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