Today Boko Haram terrorists attacked a humanitarian convoy that included staff from UNICEF, UNFPA, and IOM. The convoy was traveling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State, returning from delivering desperately needed humanitarian assistance to an Internally Displaced Persons camp.
According to DAILY POST, the delegation, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under the heavy attack from Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50, armed with anti aircraft gun (machine gun mounted on open truck).
DailyPost quoted a source as saying: “One of the officials confided in me that the soldiers saved the day. They fought with everything they had until Boko Haram retreated into the bush. This would have been a great embarrassment to Nigeria.
Four of the soldiers and and driver of one of the UN vehicle was hit. The person beside the driver took control of the vehicle. If not, it would have been disastrous for the occupants. Some officials sustained minor injuries, no lives lost. All survivors are presently at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”
UNICEF, in a statement, said: "This was not only an attack on humanitarian workers. It is an attack on the people who most need the assistance and aid that these workers were bringing. The UN has temporarily suspended humanitarian assistance missions pending review of the security situation." Photo credit: DailyPost
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