By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The United Nations (UN) has condemned the “unauthorized search” of its base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri, Borno State by the Nigerian Army last week.
In a statement issued by the global body, it said the military’s action could be “detrimental to the critical work” being carried out every day to support the most vulnerable in the north-east region of Nigeria caused by Boko Haram crisis.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, has said the UN does not have any information at this time regarding the reason or motivations for the unauthorized search.
However, Mr Kallon said he was “working closely with the Government of Nigeria to resolve this issue.”
At about 5am on Friday, August 11, 2017, members of the Nigerian security forces entered the UN base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri “without authorization”, according to the UN.
The security forces carried out a search of the tented camp and left the area at about 8am.
“The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s north-east is one of the most severe in the world today,” said Mr Kallon. “I am extremely concerned that these actions could be detrimental to the critical work that is being carried out every day to support the most vulnerable in the region and I call upon the Government of Nigeria to provide clarification.”
The United Nations and more than 50 non-governmental humanitarian organisations are working in support of the Government of Nigeria to provide aid, including food, safe water and medicine, to some 6.9 million people in need in the northeast.
