Over 4500 Civilians killed by armed groups in Nigeria’s North-East in 2023 -UN

This was disclosed by David Lubari Lominyo, Head of the UN sub-office in Damaturu, Yobe State, while addressing newsmen on Monday, World Humanitarian Day.

The United Nations has stated that more than 4,500 civilians were killed in conflict-related violence in North East Nigeria in 2023.

This was disclosed by David Lubari Lominyo, Head of the UN sub-office in Damaturu, Yobe State, while addressing newsmen on Monday, World Humanitarian Day.

He mentioned that the data was sourced from the 2024 report by the UN Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Lominyo stressed that the protection of civilians remains a major concern due to ongoing violence and indiscriminate attacks by armed groups.

Lominyo said the ongoing conflict in the North East region of Nigeria continues to have devastating impacts on the security, humanitarian, socio-economic, and political landscape of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

He emphasised that the crisis has put the lives of 230,000 children at risk due to severe malnutrition, urging increased funding for the lean season response to save their lives.

Lominyo highlighted the persistent challenges in the region, including malnutrition and insecurity, which have prevented farmers from accessing their farms. He stressed that inaction comes at a cost, exacerbating the crisis.

He appealed to all parties involved in the conflict, including security agencies and armed groups, to cease violence immediately, protect civilian assets and infrastructure.

Lominyo’s call to action emphasises the need for collective responsibility to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure the well-being of affected communities, particularly vulnerable children.

Insecurity in Northeast Nigeria

The Northeast region of Nigeria has been plagued by insecurity for over a decade, with the Boko Haram insurgency being the most prominent security challenge.

The group’s violent activities have led to the loss of thousands of lives, displacement of millions, and destruction of infrastructure.

Boko Haram’s insurgency began in 2009, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the group’s activities escalated, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in the affected states.

The group’s tactics include bombings, kidnappings, and attacks on civilian and military targets.

The Nigerian military has made efforts to combat the insurgency, but the group’s ability to adapt and evolve has made it a persistent threat.

The humanitarian consequences of the insecurity in Northeast Nigeria have been devastating.

According to the United Nations, over 2.2 million people have been displaced, and millions more are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The region’s economy has also been severely impacted, with many businesses forced to close and agricultural activities disrupted.

In addition to Boko Haram, other security challenges have emerged in the region, including banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

These threats have further exacerbated the insecurity, making it difficult for the government to restore stability.

The Nigerian government has implemented various initiatives to address the insecurity, including the establishment of a special task force and the deployment of additional troops to the region.

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