The Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF); has condemned the execution of five aid
workers by a non-state armed group in Borno state.
The slain workers, were in captivity of insurgents for over a month,
and demanded for a ransom of $500,000 (N190 million) for their
release.
In a statement Friday in Maiduguri, NIF’s Senior Information Offer,
disclosed that; “Our colleagues were abducted on June 1 and 8, 2020 by
a non-state armed group along Maiduguri-Monguno road.
“They were gruesomely executed by their captors; despite call for
their release.”
According to him, it is a blatant violation of international
humanitarian law and amounts to war crime as per UN Security Council
Resolution 1502 of 2003.
He said the slain workers, are staff or employees of Action Against
Hunger (AAH-ACF), ACTED/REACH, the International Rescue Committee
(IRC), and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
While lamenting the killings, he said: “They had dedicated their lives
to providing life-saving assistance to the millions of vulnerable
people affected by over a decade armed conflict in north-east Nigeria.
“We condemn, in totality, this atrocity, and stand in solidarity with
their families and with ACF, ACTED, IRC and SEMA.
He noted that over 10 million people; are currently in urgent need of
humanitarian assistance as a result of ongoing conflict in Borno,
Adamawa and Yobe states.
He said INGOs that strive to deliver life-saving support are faced
with an increasingly dangerous environment and have become direct
targets.
He added that since 2019 alone, eight aid workers were executed;
following their abduction, while the whereabouts of two others remain
unknown.
“This is unacceptable: aid workers are not a target,” he said, noting
that attacks on aid workers result into loss of lives of people, who
are dedicated in supporting others that desperately require assistance
and other life-saving needs.
He therefore, urged all parties to the conflict to abide by their
obligation to provide safe, unhindered access of humanitarian actors
to all the people in need of assistance.
“They should also stop all barbaric acts targeting humanitarian
workers,” he warned, adding that all parties to conflict to fulfill
their obligation of protecting civilians.
“We demand that the remains of the aid workers are immediately
returned to their families,” he said, stating that; “there should be
unconditional and immediate release of the two aid workers, who’s
where about remains unknown.
Condoling family members of deceased, he said: “Our thoughts are with
the families of our colleagues, their friends and colleagues. We send
them our condolences.
