The United Nations has said that at least 789 persons have been killed by insurgency in the North East. The deaths, according to the UN, resulted from explosive devices.
Speaking during the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action event in Nigeria, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale said for Borno, Adamawa, Yobe (BAY) states, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) collated 1,532 incidents involving explosive hazards from January 2016 to January 2022 involving more than 10,000 causalities, out of which, 1,356 civilians were injured and 789 killed.
He said: “In Northeast Nigeria, explosive ordnance in their different forms continue to represent an immediate, grave and additional threat to already suffering populations. The use of indiscriminating improvised mines kills, maims and constitutes an obstacle to the basic right of safe freedom of movement.
“These devices are also an obstacle to early recovery and development effort for the BAY states.”
He said, “Mines and other explosives are an everyday threat to civilian populations. We particularly condemn the use of improvised mines which kill and maim without discrimination. It is important to remind that such devices go against international humanitarian law. Restriction of safe freedom of movement, endangered everyday life, killing and maiming indiscriminately, purposely targeting civilians, and causing unnecessary suffering is not acceptable. Populations shall be protected against such threats.”