Warehouses looted, buildings razed as insurgents attack humanitarian facilities in Borno

Some humanitarian facilities in Damasak, Borno state, have been attacked by insurgents.

According to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the insurgents looted multiple relief agencies and warehouses and set them on fire.

It said the attack is the second targeting humanitarians in the past two months in the north-east, and the fourth attack on Damasak town and its surrounding areas this year.

Eric Batonon, NRC country director in Nigeria, who confirmed the attack, said five workers escaped unhurt.

The insurgent group has targeted humanitarian workers and facilities over the years — a situation which may negatively impact relief programmes in the north.

Batonon, who said these attacks are causing humanitarian space in the region to shrink, called on the Nigerian government to ensure the protection of aid workers and facilities.

“Yesterday’s brutal attack jeopardised our work and threatened the lives of many aid workers. Thankfully, our five staff staying in Damasak town escaped unharmed,” he said.

“However, the perpetrators succeeded in setting our guesthouse ablaze and destroying life-saving relief supplies, including vehicles used to deliver aid.

“We condemn these acts of senseless violence. They serve to terrorise humanitarians and the communities we are here to help, and they delay critical aid from reaching families in dire need.

“Humanitarian space is shrinking in northeast Nigeria, and we call on the Government of Nigeria to ensure it is protected.”