…Demand rescue of 2 other aid workers, Leah Sharibu
Following Monday’s reported killing of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) aid worker, Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, by Boko Haram terrorists, international humanitarian organisations have condemned the action.
The United Nations, Amnesty International, ICRC and the Bring Back Our Girls group in separate statements, condemned the killing of the midwife by the terrorists.
The humanitarian groups called for justice and urged the Federal Government to protect aid workers and Nigerians generally from attacks by insurgents.
They also called for the rescue of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi School girl who was taken captive by the terrorists from her school’s hostel.
[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”none” author=””] “Now more than ever the authorities must do more to rescue the hundreds of civilians held by Boko Haram, also including Leah Sharibu who was abducted from her school in Dapchi town and the remaining Chibok girls.”[/penci_blockquote]
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, described Saifura’s murder as a cowardly, heinous and despicable act.”
According to the UN, Saifura before her murder by Boko Haram was a young, dedicated and passionate midwife and humanitarian worker.
“Our deepest condolences go to her family, including her two young children, and friends. The United Nations calls on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The United Nations also calls for the immediate release of the two aid workers who are still being held,” the statement read.
Kallon also stated that the incident demonstrates the severe challenges that Nigeria continues to face, but will not deter the international community from providing aid to millions of Nigerians caught up in the conflict in the north-east.
“The United Nations stands in solidarity with the humanitarian community,” Kallon affirmed.
The Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, in their statement, described the aid worker’s murder as a horrific act. He also called for the protection of aid workers in Nigeria.
The international human rights group said Boko Haram has once again proven its brazen disregard for the sanctity of life which must not go unpunished.
“Under the international humanitarian law, aid workers like late Saifura Ahmed and her colleagues must be protected from attack and must not under any circumstance be targeted.
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“Saifura was providing desperately needed humanitarian services to people affected by the conflict in the northeast and her senseless killing is a war crime,” he said.
Amnesty International, therefore, called for the release of the two health workers who were abducted in March alongside Saifura.
“Boko Haram must immediately and unconditionally release the remaining two health workers abducted alongside Saifura.
“Now more than ever the authorities must do more to rescue the hundreds of civilians held by Boko Haram, also including Leah Sharibu who was abducted from her school in Dapchi town and the remaining Chibok girls.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in its statement described Hussaini’s murder as “tragic killing”.
The ICRC head of delegation in Abuja, Eloi Fillion, said, “We are devastated by the murder of our colleague Saifura.
“Saifura moved to Rann to selflessly help those in need. Our thoughts are with her family and other loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”
The agency also appealed to the armed group to immediately release the second ICRC midwife and another health-care worker who was also abducted in March.
“We urge those still holding our colleague Hauwa and Alice: release these women. Like Saifura, they are not part of the fight. They are a midwife and a nurse. They are daughters, a wife, and a mother – women with families that depend on them,” said Fillion.
“Their families and friends miss them dearly and will not give up the hope of seeing them again soon. There is no ideology or religious law that could justify doing any harm to them,” she added.
The Bring Back Our Girls group in their reaction to the aid work’s killing said the movement is agonizing over the killing of Saifura by the Boko Haram terrorist.
They also urged the Nigerian authorities and the international community to ensure that they rescue the other captives from Boko Haram.
The three health workers, Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, Hauwa Liman and Alice Loksha were abducted in March when Boko Haram fighters attacked Rann in northeast Nigeria.