Army reassures UN of full support after raid on humanitarian camp

The Nigerian army on Saturday expressed its readiness to collaborate with the United Nations (UN) humanitarian agencies to achieve the goals of the counter-insurgency campaign.

Ibrahim Attahiru, the theatre commander, operation Lafiya Dole, in an interview with NAN in Maiduguri, reiterated the commitment of the army to work in synergy with UN and other development organisations to address the humanitarian crisis in the north-east.

“The Nigerian Army is very aware of the need of the UN agencies to discharge their duties and we are ready to support them.

“The army will continue to work toward providing enabling and conducive environment to UN agencies to enhance their operations.

“We are working in the front line with the UN; it is complimenting the effort of the government by providing succour to the displaced victims.

“Such working collaboration is imperative to ensure success of the counter-insurgency campaign in the country,” he said.

Commenting on the raid on UN facility in Maiduguri, Attahiru said that the action was based on intelligence report made available to the military and not intended to tarnish the image of the UN.

The commander disclosed that the army conducted condone operation in the Pompori area of Maiduguri in search of high profile Boko Haram insurgents.

Attahiru noted that the house in question does not bear UN designation, that it was later discovered that the building housed some staff of UN humanitarian agency.

He stressed that the cordon and search operation was not specifically targeted at the UN facility, but rather done in the general area of operation.

The commander added that about 30 houses were searched during the exercise, adding that no arrests were made.

According to him, the military recorded significant success in various operations conducted in the theatre in the past two weeks.

“Troops under the operation Lafiya Dole neutralized several Boko Haram insurgents, made arrests and discovered a bomb making factory,” he said.

“The development assisted to reduce spate of suicide bombing and insurgents’ attacks.

“It should not be misconstrued that the Nigerian Army is trying to stop the UN from discharging its activities. We are partners in progress in the counter insurgency operations.”

Attahiru warned members of public to shun rumour peddling so as not disrupt relative peace, adding that peace building is a collective responsibility and we must work to achieve it.