UN Condemns ‘Rogue’ Nigerian Soldier’s Killing Of Aid Worker
- Demands adequate protection in North-East region
The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, has condemned the killing of an aid worker by a soldier who recently ran amok in Damboa, Borno State.
Schmale is therefore demanding adequate protection for all aid workers in the North-East to avoid a repeat occurrence.
Reacting to the Thursday’s unfortunate incident that saw a soldier killing three people and injuring others in an unprovoked attack, Humanitarian Coordinator said; “The killing of a staff member of the humanitarian non-governmental organisation, Médecins du Monde in Damboa, Borno, is deeply disturbing and sad.
“On behalf of the UN, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the aid worker’s family and to her colleagues,” said the UN official. “I also wish a speedy recovery to a pilot working with the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) who was injured in the deplorable attack by an apparently rogue soldier.”
He maintained that all humanitarian staff working in the North-East “deserve our fullest respect” for their courage and commitment to stay and deliver life-saving assistance to people in need in often difficult and dangerous circumstances.
According to him; “Humanitarian workers must be protected,” adding; “I laud the Government and the military’s efforts to speedily investigate yesterday’s incident and urge them to strengthen remedial measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
The Nigerian Army had in a statement issued on Thursday by the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major-General Christopher Musa, regretted the sad incident where the soldier not only murdered the aid worker but also another soldier while injuring the co-pilot of one of the UN helicopters before troops finally neutralized him.
The Army statement had further explained that; “The injured co-pilot has been stabilised while the corpses of the deceased have been moved to the 7 Division Hospital.”
It also disclosed that; “Detailed investigation into the incident and subsequent remedial actions have commenced into the highly regrettable incident”, adding that; “Further details will be provided later.” – With agency reports
