The UN has pledged to work more closely with Nigeria in tackling its increasing humanitarian challenges and to support the Nigerian Army’s reviewed counter-insurgency operation in the North East region.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the military operation has been code named “Operation Lafiya Dole” by the new army command, with emphasis on consolidation and stabilisation of recaptured territories.
Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to West Africa, made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Chambas said the UN would fully cooperate with Nigerian authorities and its armed forces to stem the tide of terrorism within its territory.
He said: “The UN stands with Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram terrorism.
“The UN has repeatedly through the Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and through its Security Council resolutions condemned the atrocities and the inhumanity perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria.
“The UN will stand with Nigeria, is in solidarity with Nigeria as it embarks on its legitimate fight to end Boko Haram.
“Our visit here is to review the solidarity the UN has with the armed forces of Nigeria and indeed the people of Nigeria.
“The UN is entirely on your side.
“We will also be looking at the early recovery of devastated communities.
“The UN will continue to coordinate and collaborate with Nigeria in many aspects, including training in human rights protection.”
However, Chambas appealed to the Nigerian armed forces to give attention to the growing humanitarian crisis occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said addressing the humanitarian aspect of the problem would go a long way in winning the confidence of the civil populace.
He said: “That I come with the humanitarian coordinator is also to underline the other side of this fight.
“The military aspect is important but we are pleased that a professional, responsive approach is being adopted.
“This war should be conducted, as you have indicated, in the most professionally responsive way so that at the end of the day the Nigerian military would win the battle and the war as well as the hearts and minds of the people.”
The special representative said the UN would mobilise humanitarian aid to support victims of the insurgency in the affected region.
He expressed the Secretary General’s confidence in the new army command to end the menace of terrorism in Nigeria alongside handling of reported cases of rights abuses.
Responding, Buratai reaffirmed the new focus of the military operation in the North East, identifying humanitarian assistance and protection of human rights as priority areas.
The army chief said the Nigerian Army remained committed to charters and conventions of the UN that Nigeria had endorsed and would not deliberately violate any of them.
He said the military in all its operations would henceforth act within the confines of established protocols that were in line with the UN conventions.
We are going to ensure that we act professionally in the course of our duties, especially in our operations in the North East and any other place in the country.
“The issue of human rights that you have raised too, I assure you that we will protect human rights in accordance with United Nations conventions and provisions,” he said.
Buratai said the need for humanitarian assistance had already been emphasised in a recent directive issued as part of the ongoing review of the counter-insurgency operations in the North East, pledging the army’s allegiance to democracy.
He said: “I want to assure you that the Nigerian Army is no threat to Nigeria.
“We are no threat and we will not be a threat to Nigerians and our democracy.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the military will continue to protect them, safeguard the rule of law and respect constituted authorities.”
NAN reports that Chambas was accompanied on the visit by other officials of the UN Secretary General’s office.
NAN.