Boko Haram insurgents have ambushed a team of United Nations (UN) officials in an area close to Bama, under Konduga local government area of Borno state.
The officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under heavy attack as they made their way to Bama.
The UN team, it was learnt, and other donor agencies were going to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an intervention mission
The delegation was moving food items and drugs to the IDPs.
The spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, confirmed Thursday’s incident via a statement emailed to journalists on Thursday.
“Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian escort duty, were ambushed enroute Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri,” Mr. Usman said.
“The gallant troops however, successfully cleared the ambush and exploited up to Afunori. Unfortunately, two soldiers and three civilians were wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of United Nations agencies and other international humanitarian organizations.
“The wounded have been evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, and they are in stable condition.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with our wounded colleagues, the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations whose personnel were also injured in this sad incident.
“We wish to reiterate our determination and commitment to ensuring safety and security in the North East and safeguarding the lives of all persons.”