Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condemned the terrorist group Boko Haram for attacking a United Nations aid helicopter in the country’s northeast region.
Buhari described the Saturday attack that killed two civilians in the northeastern state of Borno as “dastardly.”
The Boko Haram terrorists had attacked the Damasak area of Borno and shot a humanitarian helicopter belonging to the UN mission, which was badly damaged. The attack was earlier confirmed by Edward Kallon, UN resident coordinator in Nigeria.
“This latest cowardly attack on the UN humanitarian helicopter is yet another desperate rearguard action by the Boko Haram terrorists who have been under intense pressure from the Nigerian military,” the president said in a statement.
“Let me reassure the international community and Nigerians that this latest cowardly attack on a UN helicopter which claimed the lives of two people, including a five-year-old baby, would not go without severe consequences,” Buhari said.
According to the president, the Boko Haram terrorists are clearly on the back foot and their increasing attacks on innocent civilians, including UN humanitarian workers, were part of their desperation to prove that they are strong in order to cover up their dwindling fortunes.
He said the security of foreigners and Nigerians remain the top priority of his administration, adding no stone will be left unturned until the “remorseless enemies of humanity” were eliminated.
Buhari further underscored the need for all humanitarian and other aid workers in the region to, at all times, properly coordinate movements — air or land, with local military authorities.
