Nigeria

Situation Report
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Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator standing before mass grave
Zabarmari, Borno State, 1 December 2020 - Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, standing before a mass grave where several farmers were buried on 29 November. Tens of farmers were killed in a violent non-state armed group attack on 28 November 2020. The attack is the deadliest in 2020, but only one of many recurring attacks against farmers, fishermen, and other civilians in conflict-affected Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Photo: OCHA/Eve Sabbagh

Humanitarian Coordinator Statement Following Condolences Visit to Zabarmari, Borno - 2 December 2020

There is no word to describe how I feel after my visit to Zabarmari communities yesterday. It is with great sadness, but also indignation, that I met the families of the victims of Saturday’s violent attack and their communities to extend my most sincere condolences, on behalf of the United Nations and humanitarian partners, and to commiserate with them on these atrocious circumstances.

Farmers and villagers I have met have retold accounts of unspeakable cruelty. Innocent civilians - men and women - were ruthlessly killed. Details on losses are still coming in and the search for missing people is still ongoing. More bodies are being recovered. Farmers have also reported some of the missing women may have been abducted. I call for these innocent women and girls to be immediately released and for their safe return to their communities.

With more slain civilians recovered almost every day since the attack, it is clear that this was an act of sheer inhumanity and abject cruelty. The perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act should be brought to justice.

I met with His Excellency Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State, as well as their Excellencies the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba states and the Deputy Governor of Yobe State. We all agree that stabilizing and developing the north-east is not only important for the people living in these states but also crucial for the whole country and key to the sub-region. Full press statement here.

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