File photo: Inmates of an IDP camp
Global humanitarian aid provider, Action Against Hunger, AAH, has called on relevant authorities to allow them to continue their humanitarian work in the northeast.
The group said this in response to the military’s persona non-grata declaration of its operations in the region.
According to the AAH, it did not receive prior notice or explanation for the action, so it had to halt the assistance it provides to millions of people in Maiduguri, Monguno and Damasak with immediate effect.
It, however, maintained that it delivers neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian aid to millions of people in Borno State by providing basic services to the most vulnerable people, especially women and children.
The army had in a statement by the Deputy Director Army Public relations of Operation Lafia Dole, Col. Ado Isa, accused the Action Against Hunger of aiding and abetting terrorists despite several warnings to desist from the act.
The statement claimed that the command, has obtained several credible intelligence indicting the group as one of those NGOs operating in the northeast, notorious for supplying food and drugs to criminals in the area.
On July the 25th, a video surfaced in the social media showing four aid workers with Action Against Hunger who said they had been kidnapped by ISWAP terrorists since July 18.
One of the victims who identified herself as Grace pleaded with the government and the Christian Association of Nigeria to come to their aid and secure their release from their captors.
Since then, nothing has been heard about the whereabouts of the said aid workers, neither has anyone confirmed their release or spoken about any form of negotiation.
