UN humanitarian convoy in Nigeria ambushed by Boko Haram

A United Nations humanitarian convoy was ambushed by Boko Haram jihadists in Nigeria’s restive northeast, leaving several people wounded, the UN children’s agency and the Nigerian army said.

“The convoy was travelling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State, Nigeria, returning from delivering desperately needed assistance,” when it was ambushed yesterday, UNICEF said in a statement today.

“Unknown assailants attacked a humanitarian convoy that included staff from UNICEF, UNFPA, and IOM,” the statement added. The Nigerian army confirmed the incident in a statement issued by spokesman colonel Sani Usman.

“Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian escort duty were ambushed en route (to) Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri”, it said.

It said a UNICEF employee and an IOM contractor were injured in the attack and were being treated at a local hospital.