Boko Haram militants attacked a military base in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State, killing three U.N aid workers and leaving another missing, U.N officials said Friday.
A statement from the International Organization for Migration, a U.N agency, said militants armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and gun trucks attacked the base in Rann on Thursday.
Three U.N workers — two from the IOM and one from UNICEF — died, as well as four soldiers and four mobile policemen. Three other humanitarian workers were injured and one, a nurse, was missing.
“We strongly condemn this attack on selfless aid professionals, who were working in the most difficult humanitarian conditions,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF regional director for west and central Africa.
“Alarmingly, the number of attacks on aid workers is increasing around the world, and we must stand together to reaffirm our commitment to protect them. Humanitarian workers should never be a target,” she added.
The IOM said about 55,000 displaced people were living in a camp near the base at the time of the attack.
In January 2017, the camp was the site of two attacks, a mistaken government bombing and a Boko Haram attack.
In the same vein, the United States government condemned the killing of three United Nations (UN) workers in by the Boko Haram terrorist group in Rann, Borno State.
The terrorist group had stormed military base of the 3rd Battalion in Rann headquarters on Thursday at about 6 pm and engaged the soldiers in a gun duel that lasted for about five hours.
They subsequently abducted three aid workers in addition to killing a UNICEF doctor, and two workers of International Organization for Migration.
The U.S, on its website wrote: “U.S strongly condemns the killing of three Nigerian aid workers in a Boko Haram attack on a military installation in Rann, Borno State.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to every family whose loved ones have been affected by this and other terrorist acts. We voice our heartfelt solidarity with all those humanitarian workers who work every day to help Nigerians affected by the ongoing insurgency, and also with all those security forces and Nigerian citizens working together to end this terrorist violence.
“The United States remains firmly committed to ensuring humanitarian workers are protected and able to do their lifesaving work and to supporting Nigerians as they bravely work to ensure their nation’s security.”