UN agency condemns constant ambush on humanitarian convoys in Nigeria

ABUJA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Monday condemned the constant deadly ambush on convoys carrying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected persons in Nigeria's northeast region.

In a statement, the UN agency's coordinator in Nigeria Edward Kallon said the attack on a humanitarian convoy on Dec. 16 and others in the past posed great limitations on the delivery of life-saving supplies to people in need in that region in Nigeria.

The recent ambush by a non-state armed group took place on the road between Dikwa and Gamboru in the northeastern state of Borno, which resulted in the loss of lives of at least four civilians, the UN official said.

According to him, the attack also led to the destruction of basic aid items initially destined to alleviate the suffering of thousands of women, children and, men.

"We must ensure the safety of aid workers and aid convoys across the north-east of Nigeria, so people in need of assistance can access it in a timely manner and in sufficient quantity," he said, adding "many lives are at risk."

The United Nations and its partners operate in the northeast of Nigeria in order to provide life-saving assistance to 6.9 million people affected by the brutal conflict.

The Nigerian Army on Monday confirmed the attack suspected to be coordinated by terror group Boko Haram but said no civilian was killed.

However, the World Food Program (WFP) on Sunday said a driver of its hired truck and three other persons were killed in an attack at Ngala in Gamboru-Ngala area of Borno.

Boko Haram, a militant islamist group, has been blamed for the death of more than 20,000 people and displacing of 2.3 million others in Nigeria since 2009. Enditem