Borno Gov. Zulum condoles with UN over killing of aid worker by Nigerian soldier
Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum has condoled with the United Nations over last Thursday’s killing of a humanitarian worker of the organisation by a Nigerian soldier inside a military base in Damboa Local Government Area of the state.
In a letter addressed to the United Nations, through its Resident Representative in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, Friday, and titled; ‘Condolence and Solidarity,’ Governor Zulum said he was ‘shocked and deeply saddened’ over the incident of last Thursday which witnessed a soldier of the Nigerian Army open fire at a colleague and a civilian aid worker, killing both, as well as shooting and injuring a co-pilot of a UN helicopter, before being shot dead by other soldiers at the scene.
The slain UN aid worker has been identified as Mrs Alem Muluseta.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the incident that happened in Damboa yesterday (Thursday). My condolence goes to the family of Mrs Alem Muluseta, her colleagues at Medicine de Monde (DM), the whole Humanitarian Community and the United Nations, who continually make huge sacrifices to support our people”.
“My condolence also goes to the families of gallant soldiers who lost their lives in trying to restrain the perpetrator.
“This was a sad isolated incidence, the like of which we have not seen before, and which may not be unconnected with the mental health of the soldier involved.
“The injured pilot has been adequately attended to and he is recovering well. We will do all we can to continue to support him to get what he needs until he recovers.
“I want to assure our partners and the general public that this is an isolated incidence and the military is investigating what happened.
“We remain confident that our Military and other security agencies are committed to ensure peace and security of lives and property in Borno state.”
“We will continue to work together with the Military, and our partners to support Mental Health Programs in the Theatre” Zulum’s letter read.
Although, the Army did not disclose the identity of the rampaging soldier who attacked his colleague, it however, said investigation into the incident is already ongoing as the injured co-pilot has been stabilized at a hospital.
The incident occurred at a military base in Damboa, Borno State.
A statement signed by Major General Samson Zhakom, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai, based in the North East, said the injured co-pilot was attached to one of the United Nations helicopters in the state.
Gen. Zhakom noted troops on the ground had immediately ‘neutralised’ the errant soldier while the injured co-pilot has been medically stabilised.
“The Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI regrets to inform the public of a sad occurrence at one of our military base today (Thursday).
“A soldier shot and killed a staff of one of the NGOs providing humanitarian support in the North East.
“Same soldier also killed another soldier and injured the co-pilot of one of the UN helicopters. Own troops on the ground immediately neutralized the errant personnel.”
The statement also said that the deceased have been moved to the 7 Division Hospital as details investigation into the matter is ongoing.
“The injured co-pilot has been stabilized while corpses of the deceased have been moved to the 7 Division Hospital.
“Detailed investigation into the incident and subsequent remedial actions have commenced into the highly regrettable incident. Further details will be provided later.”
