Army confirms attack on UN officials, soldiers in Borno

Boko Haram insurgents ambushed United Nations officials and soldiers who had gone to deliver relief materials to displaced persons in Borno state.

According to the Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, the incident happened on Sunday, July 24, but had not been reported as the military did not get any information about it.

This attack came four days after personnel of Medicins Sans Frontier narrowly escaped being killed by land mines some few kilometres from where this ambush attack was carried out.

“Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian escort duty, were ambushed enroute Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri,” Usman said.

“The gallant troops however, successfully cleared the ambush and exploited up to Afunori. Unfortunately, two soldiers and three civilians were wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of United Nations agencies and other international humanitarian organizations.

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“The wounded have been evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, and they are in stable condition.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with our wounded colleagues, the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations whose personnel were also injured in this sad incident.

“We wish to reiterate our determination and commitment to ensuring safety and security in the North East and safeguarding the lives of all persons,” he asid.

Bama has suffered the most hit since the Boko Haram insurgency began. The town is located few kilometers from Sambisa forest and about 85km from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.