US Pledges Support after Suicide Attack on IDP Camp

EU condemns attack

Jaiyeola Andrews Solomon Elusoji

The United States has reiterated its commitment to helping Nigeria fight the Boko Haram scourge after Wednesday’s suicide bombing of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Dikwa, Borno State.

This came as the European Union condemned the deadly attack which left about 58 people dead and scores injured.

This was communicated via a statement released by the US Embassy yesterday, which also condemned the suicide attacks unequivocally.

“The US Embassy condemns the reported suicide attacks on internally displaced persons in Dikwa town, Borno State that occurred on February 9,” the statement read.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The United States remains committed to assisting internally displaced populations in North-eastern Nigeria through humanitarian relief efforts. We also continue to support the Nigerian government in its fight against terrorism.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had on Wednesday said 58 people were killed and 78 victims others injured after suicide bombers detonated explosives at the IDP camp in Dikwa.

Emergency workers said the incidents occurred when the IDPs queued up to collect their breakfast in a camp that currently accommodates over 50,000 people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Meanwhile, the EU has said the latest attack on the IDP camp was barbaric, callous, and should be condemned.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the EU spokesperson, Ms. Federica Mogherini, said: “Only 10 days after the violence perpetrated in north eastern Nigeria and southern Chad, a new terrorist attack involving two female suicide bombers has this time struck a Nigerian camp hosting some 50,000 people, killing at least 58.

“We express our condolences to all those affected by this attack.

“Targeting innocent people, is unacceptable. Camps have to remain a place of shelter and protection.

“The EU expresses its full solidarity with the Nigerian government and people in their fight against terrorism in all its forms.

“This was most recently reaffirmed to President Buhari when he met with EU leaders earlier this month.

“Security and the fight against terrorism will again be high on the agenda at the upcoming EU-Nigeria ministerial dialogue mid-March.

“The EU remains engaged to support the wider Sahel and Lake Chad region in their efforts to curb violence and terrorism.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently grilling the aidede-camp (ADC) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, who was arrested last Wednesday night in connection with the ongoing investigations into arms procurement.

Reliable sources also confirmed yesterday that Adegbe is being interrogated alongside the Director of the the army’s Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brig-Gen. Abubakar Sa’ad, for his alleged involvement in the distribution of funds meant for the procurement of arms for the war against insurgency.

The ADC was said to have been arrested in Lagos