A team of United Nations, UN, officials were attacked on Thursday by Boko Haram.

The officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed
soldiers, came under heavy attack as they made their way to Bama.

An impeccable source told our correspondent
Thursday night that the officials, working for the
United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, were
ambushed at an area close to Bama, under Konduga
local government area of Borno State.

Konduga is less than 30 kilometres away from
Maiduguri, the state capital.

The UN team, it was learnt, and other donor agencies were going to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an intervention mission

The delegation was moving food items and drugs to
the IDPs.

“Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50, armed
with anti aircraft gun (machine gun mounted on open truck), suddenly emerged just after Kawuri village and rained bullets on the UN motorcade,” said the source.

“One of the officials confided in me that the soldiers
saved the day. They fought with everything they had
until Boko Haram retreated into the bush. This would have been a great embarrassment to Nigeria.

“Four of the soldiers and and driver of one of the UN
vehicle was hit. The person beside the driver took
control of the vehicle. If not, it would have been
disastrous for the occupants.

“Some officials sustained minor injuries, no lives lost.

All survivors are presently at the University of
Maiduguri Teaching Hospital”, the source stated.

When contacted, Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman,
told our correspondent on phone that he will get
back.

In a statement he later sent, Usman noted that

“Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian
escort duty, were ambushed enroute Maiduguri by
suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri.

“The gallant troops, however, successfully cleared the ambush and exploited up to Afunori.

“Unfortunately, 2 soldiers and 3 civilians were
wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of
United Nations agencies and other international
humanitarian organizations.

“The wounded have been evacuated to University of
Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri and they are in stable condition.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with our
wounded colleagues, the United Nations and other
Non-governmental organizations whose personnel
were also injured in this sad incident.

“We wish to reiterate our determination and
commitment to ensuring safety and security in the
North East and safeguarding the lives of all persons.”

Reacting, Biodun Banire, Public Information Assistant, UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs, told DAILY POST, also
confirmed the incident.

“I just got the information, there was an attack. Our
officials and soldiers were attacked but no casualty.
“All responding to treatment. I can’t say more than
this. I will provide an update later”.