A yet-to-be-determined number of people believed to have been killed at Damasak, the headquarters of Mobar Local Government in Borno State, when suspected members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), attacked the town.
ISWAP is another faction of Boko Haram operating in the northern part of Borno State. It launched the attack on Damasak on Saturday night, sources said.
The sources said the insurgents targeted the United Nations hub, which houses all UN workers and other NGOs involved in the humanitarian work in the crisis-torn region.
They also burnt down the police station in the local government. Sources said that the police operatives at the facility abandoned it and ran, because of the superior power of the weapons of the Boko Haram fighters.
The United Nations confirmed the attack.
I Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, said in a statement that: “Last night and through the morning, a violent attack in Damasak town, in Borno State, was reported with three international aid partners’ facilities directly targeted, set ablaze and sustained damage.
“I continue to be concerned about the safety and security of civilians and humanitarian workers.
“I strongly condemn the attack, as humanitarian aid operations and facilities are the lifelines for people affected by violence and conflict in northeast Nigeria who are dependent on assistance to survive.
“Humanitarian operations in Damasak will be reduced due to the violent attack, which will affect the support to 8,800 internally displaced people and 76,000 people in the host community receiving humanitarian assistance and protection there.
“Civilians and aid workers, their facilities and assets should never be a target. They must always be protected and respected. I call on armed parties to observe and commit to international humanitarian law and human rights law, and ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian property, and personnel.”
The gunmen also attacked facilities belonging to other organisations. Such facilities included including the central warehouse of the World Food Programme (WFP), which was heavily looted during the attack.
The impact of the attack got messier when an attempt by the Air Force to dislodge the attackers missed its target, with the airstrike accidentally hit a residence where a naming ceremony was taking place leading to casualties.
Sources also said the attackers captured two soldiers whom they slaughtered.
