The United Nations has condemned the attack on its aid facility in Damasak, in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State. On Saturday, April 10, suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked and set ablaze several facilities belonging to international aid organisations, including a UN hub in Damasak, and killing at least four persons, including civilians and soldiers, in the process. The General Hospital in Damasak, as well as a police station were also affected, as the insurgents were said to have raided the hospital and carted away with medical supplies. This is the second attack on the town in two months, affecting one of the nine UN hubs in Nigeria, this time.
Following the attack, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon decried the recurrence of violent attacks by non-state armed groups. He noted the important role of humanitarian support for persons affected by conflict and violence, as he stated that humanitarian operations in Damask will be reduced as a result of the attack and will affect 8,800 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and 76,000 inhabitants of the community, who benefit humanitarian support. Kallon called on armed parties to act within the confines of international humanitarian and human rights laws, and ensure utmost protection of civilians, humanitarian facilities and personnel.
Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has also condemned the attack and expressed concern over the frequent attacks on humanitarian aid facilities in North East Nigeria.