U.N. strongly denounces attacks on civilians in Borno

More than 30 civilians were killed by terrorists believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) in Gamboru Ngala Local Government, Borno, and the United Nations has condemned the atrocity.

                                   The majority of the civilians were fishermen.

It has been reported that other civilians, suffering injuries of varying severity, are currently receiving care in hospitals.

In a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja, United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria Matthias Schmale voiced his strong condemnation.

He lamented the tragedy that had struck the border village of Mukdolo.

A number of civilians, according to Mr Schmale, remain missing after the deadly attack.

Fishermen and farmers trying to make ends meet in an unsafe region were among those killed in this brutal attack. IDPs and host communities from the neighbouring Dikwa Local Government Area were among them, he said. An official from the United Nations stated that the attack proved the existence of a genuine danger for IDPs and other people in the region.

He demanded that both sides in the conflict respect international human rights law.

Mr Schmale has also demanded that the government conduct an investigation into the terrorist attack.

“This deeply shocking attack is another horrific reminder of the real threats of violence and insecurity that IDPs and other people affected by the more than 13 years of the non-international armed conflict in the region continue to face on a daily basis as they struggle to survive.

People had fled Mukdolo before the attack because of the presence of non-state armed groups.

I call on all sides of the conflict to uphold their responsibility to ensure the safety of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Also, “I call on State authorities to swiftly investigate this crime and bring the culprits to justice,” he said.