The United Nations, Amnesty International and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have condemned the killing of a midwife, Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa by Boko Haram.
The humanitarian groups in their statements on Monday called for justice and urged the Federal Government to protect aid workers and Nigerians generally from attacks by insurgents.
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, described Hussaini’s murder as a cowardly, heinous and despicable act.”
According to the United Nations, Hussaini before her murder by Boko Haram was a young, dedicated and passionate midwife and humanitarian,
“Our deepest condolences go to her family, including her two young children, and friends. The United Nations calls on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The United Nations also calls for the immediate release of the two aid workers who are still being held.”
Kallon said further that the incident demonstrates the severe challenges that Nigeria continues to face, but will not deter the international community from providing aid to millions of Nigerians caught up in the conflict in the north-east.
“The United Nations stands in solidarity with the humanitarian community,” Kallon added.
The Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho in their statement described the aid worker’s murder as a horrific act. He also called for the protection of aid workers in Nigeria.
The international human rights group said Boko Haram has once again proven its brazen disregard for the sanctity of life which must not go unpunished.
“Under the international humanitarian law, aid workers like late Saifura Ahmed and her colleagues must be protected from attack and must not under any circumstance be targeted.
“Saifura was providing desperately needed humanitarian services to people affected by the conflict in the northeast and her senseless killing is a war crime.”
Amnesty International, therefore, called for the release of the two health workers who were abducted in March alongside Saifura.
“Boko Haram must immediately and unconditionally release the remaining two health workers abducted alongside Saifura.
“Now more than ever the authorities must do more to rescue the hundreds of civilians held by Boko Haram, also including Leah Sharibu who was abducted from her school in Dapchi town and the remaining Chibok girls.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in its statement described Hussaini’s murder as “tragic killing”.
The head of the ICRC delegation in Abuja, Eloi Fillion, said, “We are devastated by the murder of our colleague Saifura.
“Saifura moved to Rann to selflessly help those in need. Our thoughts are with her family and other loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”
The agency also appealed to the armed group to immediately release the second ICRC midwife and another health-care worker who was also abducted in March.
“We urge those still holding our colleague Hauwa and Alice: release these women. Like Saifura, they are not part of the fight. They are a midwife and a nurse. They are daughters, a wife, and a mother – women with families that depend on them,” said Fillion.
“Their families and friends miss them dearly and will not give up the hope of seeing them again soon. There is no ideology or religious law that could justify doing any harm to them,” she added.
Three health workers Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, Hauwa Liman and Alice Loksha were abducted in March when Boko Haram fighters attacked Rann in northeast Nigeria.
Rann is a hard to reach town in Borno state, home to at least 40,000 internally displaced people.