The European Union has called on the Federal Government to ensure that civilians and humanitarian workers are not targeted and humanitarian workers get unimpeded access to civilians in need and not get caught in the cross-fire of the increasing violence in the northern part of the country.
In a joint statement released by the body’s High Representative and Vice-president Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on the latest attacks on Tuesday, both men enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that “civilian and humanitarian personnel should not be targeted and all parties should facilitate unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need”.
The statement said the union had become worried over “attacks, abductions and killings of civilians by armed groups in northern Nigeria which have killed over 160 people, including 130 civilians since 28 May.
“Such heinous acts of terrorism and violence are intolerable. These attacks pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s security and to that of the wider region, including in the increasingly restive northwest of the country.”
While the statement warned that the ongoing conflict may result to growing food insecurity amidst the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and also increase humanitarian needs in northeast Nigeria, it called for respect for international humanitarian laws.
“International humanitarian law must be safeguarded and respected by all parties to the conflict, in Nigeria and elsewhere.
“The EU stands by Nigeria and its people in this period of increased violence and instability.”
