The United Nations has claimed that at least three local government areas in Borno State are inaccessible to aid workers.
The UN was reacting to a statement report by the Nigerian military command in northeast Nigeria on the activities of the deadly group.
It insisted that some locations in Borno state, including three local government areas, remained inaccessible as a result of the threat posed by the Boko Haram sect.
The report issued by the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian (OCHA) warned that Boko Haram attacks that slowed down due to the rainy season might increase in the coming months.
“Insecurity, presence of mines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded ordinances had continued to slow down the response of humanitarian agencies in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states”, said OCHA’s monthly report for September 2017, enitled, “North-East Nigeria: Humanitarian Situation Update”.
“Most roads to the south, south-west and east remain unusable due to security concerns and most humanitarian personnel movement is done through air assets. Cargo, however, is being transported via road with armed escorts as a last resort.
“Attacks against civilians – including suicide bombings in and near IDP camps – continue to be a major concern. At least five person-borne explosive device attacks took place in September in Borno alone.
“The most significant incident happened on 18 September in Konduga, close to an IDP camp: 18 civilians were killed and 40 were injured, making it the deadliest suicide bombing recorded in north-east Nigeria since the beginning of the year. Other types of attacks against civilians continue as well: dozens of civilians were attacked while farming near Rann and in villages in Konduga, Damboa, Ngala, Mafa and Gwoza, and four military-escorted civilian convoys were attacked on the road between Mafa and Dikwa. Protection actors are advocating for the implementation of the Centrality of Protection strategy drafted in August with key recommendations for all sectors.”
The UN agency added that, “No humanitarian aid is currently reaching locations in these LGAs outside of the LGAs’ main towns called ‘headquarters’. Major humanitarian supply routes towards the west, north-west and north are open for humanitarians without the use of armed escorts. Following advocacy efforts, Konduga and Mafa are now also accessible to aid groups without military escorts.”
Comments