UN: Army’s invasion of camp unauthorised

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has expressed grave concern over what he described as an unauthorized search of a United Nations base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to him, members of the Nigerian security forces entered the UN base for humanitarian workers in Maiduguri without authorization; carrying out a search of the tented camp and left the area at circa 0800 hours.

Reports indicate that the United Nations does not have any information regarding the reason or motivations for the unauthorized search.

“The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s north-east is one of the most severe in the world today,” said Mr Kallon. “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 and I call upon the Government of Nigeria to provide clarification.”

The United Nations and more than 50 non-governmental humanitarian organisations are working in support of the Government of Nigeria to provide aid, including food, safe water and medicine, to some 6.9 million people in need in the northeast.