Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Senate President on Friday, July 29, called for calm as the United Nation’s announced that it would be suspending aid deliveries in Nigeria.


The UN’s decision comes after a United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) humanitarian convoy was attacked while traveling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State.

Saraki in a statement by his media office, condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, stating that it was unacceptable to endanger the lives of aid workers, who were only trying to assuage the situation in the northeast.

“This unfortunate situation has led to the United Nation’s temporarily suspending its rehabilitation-related aid deliveries to parts of the North East,” the Senate President said, while adding that “this is a major cause for concern as overtime, the Nigerian military has recorded significant successes in routing the insurgency and many foreign donor agencies have expressed their preparedness to join in the North East restoration efforts.”


Saraki further called for an immediate review of the security situation in the North East by the relevant authorities, stating that it was necessary to alleviate the concerns of international partners who are set to help rebuild the crisis-torn areas.

“I also urge our military, the Department of State Security and the Police, to commence an immediate security re-evaluation and review of the entire North East zone in order to allay the fears of our donor partners. The partners are important to Nigeria’s work to reposition the North East after months of decimation at the hands of Boko Haram,” he stated.

With the temporary suspension of the United Nations’ activities in the region, the Senate President called on the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to immediately address the shortfall that will arise from the cessation of donations of food and medicines.

“Effective action must be taken in the interim. We need to make sure that no lives are lost due to the temporary suspension of UN aid,” he added.

Saraki further called on the UN to resume its activities in North East as soon as possible, while reassuring Nigerians and the international community that the Senate would fast-track the passage of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Bill, which aims to create a legislative framework and multi-state platform for the coordination of relief and donations to the zone.

Following the submission of the Report of its Public Hearing by the Senate Committee on Special Duties, the bill Following the bill is awaiting third and final reading before being passed.

The Senate President had on July 18 led a delegation to Maiduguri in Borno state where he pledged that the Senate would look into the issue of malnutrition and shortage of medical supplies in the North East. DC Bill is currently awaiting its third and final reading in the Senate.

Two days later, through a Point of Order raised by Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (APC – Borno Central), the Senate discussed the issue of malnutrition in the North East and resolved that the Ministry of Finance should immediately release necessary funds to the North East while the Federal Government should begin coordination of private sector donations to the region.

During the debate on the motion, Saraki emphasised the need for a sustainable public-private-partnership driven approach to combat the issue of malnutrition, stressing that Nigeria did not need to lose more lives to the lack of food in the North East.

“I immediately notified the GOC 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Victor Izugwu, who promised to take action,” he said.

“I was also directed by Gov. Kashim Shettima to get the full details of the incident.

“I visited the office in the morning and discovered that one of the eight aid workers was injured at the upper jaw, they were in the process of evacuating him to Abuja for proper treatment when I met them,” Durkwa said.

The deputy governor condemned media reports on suspension of aid work by the UN office in the state over the incident.

“The issue of suspension of aid work by the UN in the state is not true.

“I met the UN officials and they told me that the attack would not deter them from doing their humanitarian work,” Dukwa said.

He said that the officials never contemplated leaving the state as reported in the media.

“In fact, they asked me to extend their commendation to the gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian JTF who helped in repelling the attack. “Throughout our discussions, there was no mention of suspension of humanitarian work in the state,” Durkwa said.

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