A team of United Nations, UN, officials were attacked on Thursday by Boko Haram, DAILY POST can exclusively report.
The officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under heavy attack as they made their way to Bama.
An impeccable source told our correspondent Thursday night that the
officials, working for the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, were
ambushed at an area close to Bama, under Konduga local government area
of Borno State.
Konduga is less than 30 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
The UN team, it was learnt, and other donor agencies were going to an
Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an intervention mission
The delegation was moving food items and drugs to the IDPs.
“Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50 armed with anticraft (machine
gun mounted on open truck, suddenly emerged just after Kawuri village
and rained bullets on the UN motorcade,” said the source.
“One of the officials confided in me that the soldiers saved the day.
They fought with everything they had and 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 was lost. All
survivors are presently at the University of Maiduguri Teaching
Hospital”, the source stated.
When contacted, Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, told our correspondent on phone that he will get back.
Also, Biodun Banire, Public Information Assistant, UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told DAILY POST that he had just
heard the news.
“I just got the information, there was an attack. Our officials and soldiers were attacked but no casualty.
“All responding to treatment. I can’t say more than this. I will provide an update tomorrow morning”.
credit:dailypost
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