Nigerian army has announced that it is suspending activities of UNICEF in North-eastern Nigeria.

The army made the announcement in a statement circulated by PRNigeria, a news agency with close ties to security agencies.

The army’s statement was signed by Mr Onyema Nwachukwu, a colonel and deputy director public relations.

“This has become inevitable since the organisation has abdicated its primary duty of catering for the wellbeing of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engaged in training selected persons for clandestine activities to continue sabotaging counter terrorism and Counter insurgency efforts of troops through spurious and unconfirmed allegations bothering on alleged violations of human rights by the military,” the army said.

It is not clear if the military got permission of President Muhammadu Buhari to make such decision as it does not have such powers.

See the full statement by the Nigerian army below.

Nigerian Military Suspends UNICEF Activities in North East

Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE has observed with dismay that some of the activities of International humanitarian agencies and Non-governmental organisations’ operating in North East have left so much to be desired. There is credible information that some of them are indulging in unwholesome practices that could further jeopardise the fight against terrorism and insurgency, as they train and deploy spies who support the insurgents and their sympathisers.

It is baffling to note that some of these organisations have been playing the terrorists’ script with the aim to continue demoralising troops who are doing so much to protect lives of victims of Boko Haram Terrorism and safeguard them from wanton destruction of property and their means of livelihood. The Theatre Command considers actions of these organisations as a direct assault and insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians, as they tend to benefit more from expanding the reign of terror on our people.

Consequently, Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE is suspending operations of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in North East theatre until further notice. This has become inevitable since the organisation has abdicated its primary duty of catering for the wellbeing of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engaged in training selected persons for clandestine activities to continue sabotaging counter terrorism and Counter insurgency efforts of troops through spurious and unconfirmed allegations bothering on alleged violations of human rights by the military.

Information within the reach of this Command specifically indicates that the organisation commenced the said training on Wednesday 12 December 2018 at Ministry of Finance Conference Hall, Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri and ended on 13 Thursday December 2018. The Theatre command will not tolerate this kind of sabotage from any individual, group of persons or organisation.

We call on all NGOs and members of humanitarian agencies to keep to their legitimate norms in the discharge of their acclaimed humanitarian duties.

PT