Boko Haram: UN Suspends Operations In Dikwa, Damasak, Gives Major Reason

The United Nations (UN) has announced that it will temporarily suspend its humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak in Borno state following consistent Boko Haram attacks in those areas.

OnyxNews Nigeria reports that this was made known in a statement to journalists on Saturday by the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon.

Giving reasons for the suspension, Kallon stated that the UN wants to safely relocate its humanitarian staff to other locations.

“I am deeply concerned about the recent attacks on humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak, affecting humanitarian assets and personnel,” the UN coordinator said.

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“We have temporarily suspended operations in these areas in order to safely relocate humanitarian staff and are closely monitoring the situation. We intend to resume operations as soon as possible, so that civilians affected by the conflict continue to receive the assistance they need.

“I condemn in the strongest terms attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure which may constitute violations on International Humanitarian Law.

Earlier last month, Boko Haram had attacked Dikwa in Dikwa LGA, overrunning the UN humanitarian hub and destroying government facilities.

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Dikwa town, about 90km from Maiduguri, has come under constant attack from the insurgents since the liberation of the town in 2016.

The town also hosts the military Super Camp 9 where the Army Chief visited last week and gave order for the retaking of Matte, which is about 20km away.

The insurgents attacked Damasak in Mobbar LGA on Wednesday, displacing hundreds of residents who fled to the neighbouring Niger Republic.

Sources revealed that the Wednesday attack was the 8th incident in a week.

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Troops had chased the terrorists out of the town on Tuesday but they returned in the early hours of Wednesday, shooting sporadically and setting houses on fire.

According to a military source, the insurgents are desperate to take control of the town.