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UN humanitarian convoy in Nigeria ambushed by Boko Haram

By AFP
Zimbabwe Nigerian soldiers on duty in Borno State, in the northeast of the country.  By Stefan Heunis AFPFile
JUL 29, 2016 LISTEN
Nigerian soldiers on duty in Borno State, in the northeast of the country. By Stefan Heunis (AFP/File)

Lagos (AFP) - A United Nations humanitarian convoy was ambushed by Boko Haram jihadists Thursday in Nigeria's restive northeast, leaving several people wounded, the UN children's agency and the Nigerian army said.

"The convoy was travelling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State, Nigeria, returning from delivering desperately needed assistance," when it was ambushed, UNICEF said in a statement Friday.

"Unknown assailants attacked a humanitarian convoy that included staff from UNICEF, UNFPA, and IOM," the statement added.

The Nigerian army confirmed the incident in a statement issued by spokesman colonel Sani Usman.

"Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian escort duty were ambushed en route (to) Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri", it said.

It said a UNICEF employee and an IOM contractor were injured in the attack and were being treated at a local hospital.

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