Boko Haram attacks UN team, soldiers, many wounded

One of the wounded at the hospital after the Boko Haram attack

Nigerian Islamists group, Boko Haram made a daring move today by attacking a team of United Nations officials on their way to Bama, Borno State.

According to an exclusive report by DAILY POST, 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,” said the source.

“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.

“Some officials sustained minor injuries, no lives lost. All survivors are presently at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital”, the source stated.

When contacted, Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, told our correspondent on phone that he will get back.

Also, Biodun Banire, Public Information Assistant, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that he had just heard the news.

“I just got the information, there was an attack. Our officials and soldiers were attacked but no casualty.

“All responding to treatment. I can’t say more than this. I will provide an update tomorrow morning”.

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