Families mourn aid workers executed by Boko Haram
This is unacceptable: aid workers are not a target. Attacks on aid workers result in the loss of life of those who dedicated their lives to support others, and deprive people of desperately needed assistance and access to basic services
The deputy governor, Hon. Usman Khadafu, who led the Borno State government delegation, expressed dismay over what he described as s barbaric act and great loss to the humanitarian sector as well as the state governments, while sympathizing with the family of late Abdulrahman.
“We are worried with the latest development; it is bad and evil. However, the government and good people of Borno State express their heartfelt sympathy.
“I want to call upon all our humanitarian aid workers to be vigilant when it comes to embarking on any journey, even if it is personal, especially if you are in the north eastern part of the country.”
Also, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the murder of five staff of humanitarian agencies in Borno State.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said: “President Buhari sympathises with the families of the five aid workers, while praying that God will comfort them for their irreplaceable loss.
“He assures them that his government will continue to do all it can to ensure that every remaining vestige of Boko Haram is wiped out completely from northeastern Nigeria and that the perpetrators of this atrocity face the law,” the statement said.
President Buhari while condoling with the State Emergency Management Agency, Action Against Hunger, Rich International, and International Rescue Committee, assured them that security agencies in the state will work closely with their organisations to implement measures to ensure that such kidnapping of their staff does not occur again.
United Nations Residents Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edwin Kallon, strongly condemned all violence targeting aid workers who devote their time to assist vulnerable people and communities affected by conflicts.
“My most heartfelt condolences go to their loved ones, families, friends and co-workers. Their safety and securing their safe release had been our highest priority since they were captured last month,” he said.
“This is tragically not the first killing of kidnapped aid workers. We have repeatedly called for such devastating fate and blatant violation of international humanitarian law to never happen again. And yet, it does. I implore all armed parties to step up to their responsibilities and stop targeting,” Kallon stressed.
Also, International NGO community in Nigeria condemns the execution, saying since the beginning of 2019, eight aid workers have been executed following their abduction, while the whereabouts of two remain unknown.
“This is unacceptable: aid workers are not a target. Attacks on aid workers result in the loss of life of those who dedicated their lives to support others, and deprive people of desperately needed assistance and access to basic services.
“We demand that the remains of the aid workers are immediately returned to their families. We also call for the unconditional and immediate release of the two aid workers whose whereabouts remain unknown,” INGOs forum warned.
Meanwhile, the IRC also grieves the execution of their colleague, Luka Filibus, and his fellow captives.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by this news. Luka and his family were forced to flee their home, and he was still compelled to alleviate the suffering of children. He dedicated his life to protecting children and to help lessen their trauma in the face of crisis.
“His colleagues in Nigeria remember him always with a smile on his face. We grieve with Luka’s family and will do everything we can to support them through this challenging time,” IRC mourned.
Action Against Hunger said: “The capture of humanitarian workers violates International Humanitarian Law, and all the rules for the protection of workers, humanitarian organizations and partners.
“This unjustifiable assassination reflects the immense difficulty faced by independent and impartial humanitarian actors, and the violence we are exposed to every day to fulfill our mission, as well as to promote the values of humanity and solidarity that are more than ever necessary.”