The United Nations (UN) has condemned the killing of a humanitarian worker by an operational soldier at Damboa in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The occurrence, according to UN Coordinator for Nigeria Matthias Schmale, is “disturbing and tragic”. He also added that the humanitarian is a member of the Médecins du Monde team who works in the neighborhood.
“Yesterday’s killing of a staff member of the humanitarian non-governmental organization Médecins 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. We must protect humanitarian workers.
“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.”
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Earlier, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Operations Hadin Kai Maiduguri, Major Nantip Zhakom said the soldier “shot and killed a soldier and injured a co-pilot who is one of the UN helicopters”.
The aforementioned soldier is a member of the special forces (SF), and shortly after landing in Damboa with some aid workers, he lost his cool and attacked the aircraft’s crew. He opened fire on the pilot first, wounding him as he tried to flee the scene. He then turned to the aid workers and opened fire on them.
The soldier allegedly stabbed the deceased aid worker severally with a knife until she gave up the ghost.
