Nigeria: Boko Haram injures soldiers, workers after UN convoy ambush

Nigerian Islamists group, Boko Haram on Thursday attacked humanitarian convoy in northeast Nigeria on their way to Bama, Borno State.


According to reports, the officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under heavy attack as they made their way to Bama.

A source disclosed Thursday night that the officials, working for the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, were ambushed at an area close to Bama, under Konduga local government area of Borno State.

Konduga is less than 30 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

The UN team, it was learnt, and other donor agencies were going to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an intervention mission

The delegation was moving food items and drugs to the IDPs.

“Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50, armed with anti aircraft gun (machine gun mounted on open truck), suddenly emerged just after Kawuri village and rained bullets on the UN motorcade,” the source told newsmen.

“One of the officials confided in me that the soldiers saved the day. They fought with everything they had until Boko Haram retreated into the bush. This would have been a great embarrassment to Nigeria.

“Four of the soldiers and and driver of one of the UN vehicle was hit. The person beside the driver took control of the vehicle. If not, it would have been disastrous for the occupants, no lives lost. All survivors are presently at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital”, the source stated.

Biodun Banire, Public Information Assistant, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said confirmed the incident.