RANN ATTACK: UN recalls humanitarian workers, confirms killing of 8 personnel

Contrary to reports that four of its aid workers were killed and one other abducted during an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Rann community in Kala Balge Local Government of Borno, the United Nations has confirmed that at least eight Nigerian security personnel were killed in the attack.

The UN made the announcement in a statement issued by General António Guterres who also confirmed the withdrawal of aid workers from the community following the attack.

“The Secretary-General condemns the killing of three aid workers last night in Rann town in Borno state, Nigeria, following an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. At least one other aid worker remains critically injured and another three are still missing. Eight members of the Nigerian national security forces were also killed.

“At the time of the attack, over 40 humanitarian workers were in Rann. All humanitarian personnel have been evacuated from Rann, and all humanitarian deliveries in the area have been temporarily suspended.

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“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the affected aid workers, their families and to the Government and people of Nigeria. He wishes those injured a swift recovery.

“The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. Those responsible for these and other atrocities in Nigeria must be apprehended and prosecuted.

“The Secretary-General calls on all the parties to ensure at all times the protection of all civilians in Nigeria”.

Reports say humanitarian activities in the remote Borno community by Doctors Without Borders, otherwise known as Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) has also been officially suspended.

Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UNICEF Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), revealed that two of the deceased were personnel of UN client organisation, International Organisation of Migration (IOM), deployed to Rann as camp managers.

She added that others killed were a medical doctor working as consultant with UNICEF and an aid worker with International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) affiliate organisation.

 

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