Boko Haram ‘Cowardly’ Attack On UN Helicopter Won’t Be Without Consequences – Buhari
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.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condemned what he called “the dastardly attack on a UN aid helicopter in the Northeast on Saturday by the Boko Haram terrorists”.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement, quoted Buhari as saying that the attack was a “rearguard action” of members of the sect who he said has been under pressure from the military.
The statement was titled, “President Buhari condemns Boko Haram’s cowardly attack on UN in the North East.”
“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.
“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.
“Boko Haram terrorists are clearly on the back foot and their increasing attacks on innocent civilians, including UN humanitarian workers, was part of their desperation to prove that they are strong to cover up their dwindling fortunes,” the President was quoted as saying.
Boko Haram insurgents had attacked a United Nations aid helicopter in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The terrorists, according to the UN, launched the attack on Thursday in Damasak, Borno State, killing two civilians including a five-year-old child in the process.
Edward Kallon, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, on Saturday said both fatalities and several others injured in the attack were on the ground.
“A UN Humanitarian Air Service helicopter was hit by bullets during the attack. No aid workers were on board at the time and crew members are all safe,” Kallon said in a statement.
A UN communication said the aircraft was shot as it approached Damasak and the pilots managed to fly back to Maiduguri, AFP reports.
