Nigeria: 30,000+ Flee Boko Haram Violence in NE Country, UN Reports

Local Editor

Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes in northeast Nigeria after an increase in violence in the Boko Haram conflict, the United Nations reported on Wednesday.

"More than 30,000 internally displaced people [IDPs] have arrived in Maiduguri, mainly from Baga, in recent weeks," said the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon.

Located on the shores of Lake Chad, Baga has been repeatedly hit in the nine-year conflict, which has killed more than 27,000, left 1.8 million people homeless and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Fighters from the self-styled Daesh [the Arabic acronym for terrorist ‘ISIS/ISIL’ group] West Africa Province faction of Boko Haram overran two military bases in and around the fishing town on late December.

Kallon said fighting on December 26 triggered a "massive displacement" of civilians, with men, women and children flocking to already over-crowded camps in Monguno and Maiduguri.

Monguno is a garrison town 65 kilometers southwest of Baga while the Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, is 200 kilometers away on the same road.

Both are considered key prizes for the terrorists, who have increased their attacks on military bases and soldiers since July last year.

A second attack on Monguno on December 28 forced IDPs to Maiduguri. Some 20,000 arrived at one camp, Teachers Village, stretching its capacity beyond the limit.

Kallon said it was unclear how many remained in Monguno but "tens of thousands of people are in need of humanitarian assistance, notably shelter, food, water and sanitation.

"The impact of the recent fighting on innocent civilians is devastating and has created a humanitarian tragedy," he added.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team