The United Nations- Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has condemned the killing of its staff and others at a Military Base in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, which was made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.
Recall that the Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai, North East, Major General Christopher Musa on Thursday night disclosed that Soldier ran berserk in one of its military base, opened fire and killed a humanitarian staff of an Non- Governmental Organisations, NGO and also killed another soldier in the same base.
Not satisfied, the soldier also opened fire on the co-pilot of one of the UN helicopters to the theater before troops of Hadin Kai neitralized him.
“Yesterday’s killing of a staff member of the humanitarian non-governmental organization Meědecins du Monde in Damboa, Borno State is deeply disturbing and sad.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the aid worker’s family and to her colleagues.
“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.
“All humanitarian staff working in north-east Nigeria 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.
Humanitarian workers must be protected.
“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”. Said Schmale.
In a related development, the District Head of Damboa Local Government Area, Zanna Lawan Maina expressed shock over the incident.
“I am right now in Abuja when I received a distress call from some of my subjects that there was a multiple gunshots at Military Base.
“The Theatre Commander, Major General Christopher Musa also called me on the same incidence.
“It is very unfortunate, but right now the situation is under control “. The Traditional Ruler stated.
Gov Zulum writes, condoles UN
Meanwhile Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has written a condolence letter to the United Nations over the sad development.
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Zulum addressed the letter to the UN’s resident representative in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale. The letter, titled “condolence and solidarity” was dated Friday, November 18, 2022.
The letter reads: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the incident that happened in Damboa yesterday (Thursday). My condolence goes to the family of Mrs Alem Muluseta, her colleagues at Medicine de Monde (DM), the whole Humanitarian Community and the United Nations, who continually make huge sacrifices to support our people”.
“My condolence also goes to the families of gallant soldiers who lost their lives in trying to restrain the perpetrator.”
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“This was a sad isolated incidence, the like of which we have not seen before, and which may not be unconnected with the mental health of the soldier involved”.
“The injured pilot has been adequately attended to and he is recovering well. We will do all we can to continue to support him to get what he needs until he recovers”.
“I want to assure our partners and the general public that this is an isolated incidence and the military is investigating what happened.”
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“We remain confident that our Military and other security agencies are committed to ensure peace and security of lives and property in Borno state.”
“We will continue to work together with the Military, and our partners to support Mental Health Programs in the Theatre” Zulum said.
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