BOKO HARAM: UN demands unconditional release of 5 remaining aid workers in Borno

Following the gruesome murder of an aid worker by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has demanded the unconditional release of other humanitarian workers in insurgents’ captivity.

In a statement by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs issued on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Kallon expressed shock and sadness over the murder of the aid worker.

“I am appalled and deeply saddened by the news of the horrific execution of an aid worker this morning,” he said.

“My most heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues.

Kallon called on the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

“I am also extremely concerned about the increasingly dangerous and restrictive operating environment for implementing humanitarian assistance in crisis affected areas.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram kills abducted aid worker, vows to kill 5 others

“Humanitarian aid workers continue to face challenges as they strive to deliver urgent, lifesaving assistance,” he added.

The UN official renewed call for all parties to the conflict to ensure protection of aid workers and respect of international humanitarian law.

Kallon noted that services were being implemented in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality.

He reiterated that the humanitarian community was working in line with the 2019/2021 Humanitarian Response Strategy, jointly implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government.

According to him, the strategy entailed provision of life saving assistance to 6.2 million vulnerable people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

The insurgents had on Tuesday released a video of the alleged execution of one of six aid workers who were abducted in July. They also threatened to kill the remaining five aid workers.

The terrorists said they killed the aid worker because “the government deceived them.”

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