UN refugee agency voices concern over security of areas formerly held by Boko Haram

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has voiced its concern about the conditions, basic services and security in the territory formerly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents as hundreds of internally displaced people are returning to devastated villages and towns in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, a UN spokesman told reporters here Friday.

The returning of the displaced Nigerians came after these areas were recently liberated by the West African country's armed forces, and this number is expected to grow in the coming weeks, the spokesman said.

"However, the agency remains concerned about the conditions, basic services and security in the territory formerly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents," said the spokesman.

Assistance from the Nigerian government and aid agencies has been stepped up to the region to help people in 16 newly accessible districts of Borno, the spokesman said, adding that UNHCR and its partners have restricted access to 10 of these districts, where some 800,000 people need urgent help.

"UNHCR stresses that returns should be voluntary, dignified and safe, with people being informed about conditions in their home areas," the spokesman said.

"The agency is in regular touch with state officials and has raised its concerns and offered to closely work with them to help ensure that returns are conducted in accordance with international standards and in dignity and safety," the spokesman added.

Nigeria's northeast region has been a stronghold of the extremist group Boko Haram and has been frequently raided in the past six years. In past months, the Nigerian government has launched several military operations to eliminate the terrorist threat.

Boko Haram, which seeks to impose strict Islamic law in northern Nigeria, has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths and displacing of more than 2.6 million people since 2009. Enditem