- Army explains reason for search
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| Men of the Nigeria |
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has expressed concern over the unauthorised search of the UN base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri, Borno, by security forces.
The Nigerian Army would however explain that while it was not aware that the building belonged to the UN, the search was part of cordon and search operations and 30 other buildings were equally searched.
However, Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Nigeria, in a statement, quoting Kallon on Friday in Abuja, it states that, “At circa 0500 hours today, members of the Nigerian security forces entered the UN base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri without authorisation.
“The security forces carried out a search of the tented camp and left the area at circa 0800 hours.
“The UN does not have any information at this time regarding the reason or motivations for the unauthorised search,” Newport said.
According to him, the humanitarian coordinator is, however, working closely with the Government of Nigeria to resolve this issue.
“The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s North-East is one of the most severe in the world today.
“I am extremely concerned that these actions could be detrimental to the critical work that is being carried out every day to support the most vulnerable in the region.
“I call upon the Government of Nigeria to provide clarification.”
Kallon said the UN and more than 50 non-governmental humanitarian organisations were working in support of the Government of Nigeria to support the vulnerable in the North-East Nigeria
Kallon said that these groups provided aid, including food, safe water and medicine, to some 6.9 million people in need in the North-East.
In explaining why the UN building was searched, the Nigerian Army said although it was not aware that the building belonged to the UN, the search was part of cordon and search operations and 30 other buildings were equally searched.
This was disclosed in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Samuel for the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, while highlighting some of the recent successes of the Army.
According to the statement, the search was necessitated by the fact that the Boko Haram Terrorists changed tactics and resorted to targeting military locations, hence the need to intensify clearance operations in the Maiduguri metropolis.
“In the last one week cordon and search operations were conducted in Jiddari –Polo, Muna Garage, Jakana amongst several other areas. On 10th August 2017, Theatre Command received information from one of its credible sources that some high-value BHT suspects had infiltrated into Pompomari Bye Pass. It, therefore, became expedient to take preemptive action by combing the general area through a cordon and search operations.
“The operation was successfully conducted as over 30 houses were searched. One of such included a property, which was said to be occupied by United Nations Staff, although the property did not carry a UN designation. On the whole, operation in the general area was successfully concluded but no arrest was made because the suspects were not found.
“The command wishes to assure the general public that these operations are being conducted to safeguard lives and properties but not targeted at any individual or group. The general public is cautioned to avoid peddling rumours, which may cause disaffection and to remain law abiding,” the Army statement read.
Reports had emerged on Friday that the Army searched a building belonging to the U.N.
A spokesperson for the organisation, Samantha Newport confirmed the incident to Reuters, saying the U.N had no information on the reason for the unauthorised search.
The Nigerian Army would however explain that while it was not aware that the building belonged to the UN, the search was part of cordon and search operations and 30 other buildings were equally searched.
However, Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Nigeria, in a statement, quoting Kallon on Friday in Abuja, it states that, “At circa 0500 hours today, members of the Nigerian security forces entered the UN base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri without authorisation.
“The security forces carried out a search of the tented camp and left the area at circa 0800 hours.
“The UN does not have any information at this time regarding the reason or motivations for the unauthorised search,” Newport said.
According to him, the humanitarian coordinator is, however, working closely with the Government of Nigeria to resolve this issue.
“The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s North-East is one of the most severe in the world today.
“I am extremely concerned that these actions could be detrimental to the critical work that is being carried out every day to support the most vulnerable in the region.
“I call upon the Government of Nigeria to provide clarification.”
Kallon said the UN and more than 50 non-governmental humanitarian organisations were working in support of the Government of Nigeria to support the vulnerable in the North-East Nigeria
Kallon said that these groups provided aid, including food, safe water and medicine, to some 6.9 million people in need in the North-East.
In explaining why the UN building was searched, the Nigerian Army said although it was not aware that the building belonged to the UN, the search was part of cordon and search operations and 30 other buildings were equally searched.
This was disclosed in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Samuel for the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, while highlighting some of the recent successes of the Army.
According to the statement, the search was necessitated by the fact that the Boko Haram Terrorists changed tactics and resorted to targeting military locations, hence the need to intensify clearance operations in the Maiduguri metropolis.
“In the last one week cordon and search operations were conducted in Jiddari –Polo, Muna Garage, Jakana amongst several other areas. On 10th August 2017, Theatre Command received information from one of its credible sources that some high-value BHT suspects had infiltrated into Pompomari Bye Pass. It, therefore, became expedient to take preemptive action by combing the general area through a cordon and search operations.
“The operation was successfully conducted as over 30 houses were searched. One of such included a property, which was said to be occupied by United Nations Staff, although the property did not carry a UN designation. On the whole, operation in the general area was successfully concluded but no arrest was made because the suspects were not found.
“The command wishes to assure the general public that these operations are being conducted to safeguard lives and properties but not targeted at any individual or group. The general public is cautioned to avoid peddling rumours, which may cause disaffection and to remain law abiding,” the Army statement read.
Reports had emerged on Friday that the Army searched a building belonging to the U.N.
A spokesperson for the organisation, Samantha Newport confirmed the incident to Reuters, saying the U.N had no information on the reason for the unauthorised search.
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