- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is worried about the increasing armed conflict in north-east Nigeria
- The Red Cross said thousands of civilians are paying a heavy price as armed conflict escalates in the north-east
- The ICRC said it launched an emergency response in Maiduguri in coordination with other humanitarian actors and the authorities
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised alarm over what it described as the alarming increase in the attacks by the Boko Haram sects in the north-east Nigeria.
In a statement sent to Legit.ng, the Red Cross said a health facility in Rann and shelters for internally displaced people which were burnt down a few days ago, have caused the largest wave of displacement since 2017.
Markus Dolder, the head of ICRC’s office in Maiduguri said families caught in between the fighting between the Army and the insurgents have had to flee for their lives.
READ ALSO: We'll do everything possible to ensure Saraki loses his seat - Senator Ibrahim
He said: "Parents with their children, taking the little they could, escaped into the bush and slept in the open air. Some managed to reach places -- ‘camps’ -- where they can receive some assistance, but what about the others?”
“We are extremely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in north-east Nigeria. Civilians should be spared by all parties to the conflict, as per international humanitarian law.”
The group said about 55,000 people have been reportedly displaced in the last two months, over 30,000 of whom arrived in Borno’s capital, Maiduguri and because the existing camps cannot cope with the sudden influx, the authorities are in the process of opening a new IDP camp.
The ICRC also said it has launched an emergency response in Maiduguri in coordination with other humanitarian actors and the authorities.
The building of temporary shelters for 1,500 households is under way, the distribution of essential household items and a one-off cash support for all new arrivals, scattered in the various IDP camps, have started, according to the ICRC.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that troops of 159 Battalion, Forward Operational Base (FOB), Sector 2, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on February 4 repelled attempted terrorists incursion into the border town of Kanama, Yunusari local government of Yobe.
The Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Lt. Njoka Irabor made this known in a press statement issued in Damaturu.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better.
Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters?| - on Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
