Attackers of UN aid helicopter must be punished — Buhari vows

President Muhmmadu Buhari has said Saturday’s attack on a United Nations’ (UN) helicopter in the northeastern part of the country, killing two persons, including a five year old, would be avenged.

The Nation reports that the UN had reported that the one of its Humanitarian Air Service helicopter was shot at by the Boko Haram terror group during an attack around Damasak in Borno State on Saturday.

The President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the attack as cowardly, vowing that it would be repaid with a heavy consequence.

Condemning the incidence, the President said the latest act by the terror group was carried to camouflage its dwindling strength, assuring both the international community, as well as Nigerians, that security of lives and property remained his administration’s top priority.

In the reaction, President Buhari condemned “the dastardly attack on UN aid helicopter in the Northeast on Saturday by the Boko Haram terrorists.”

“This latest cowardly attack on the UN humanitarian helicopter is yet another desperate rear guard action by the Boko Haram terrorists who have been under intense pressure from the Nigerian military.

“Let me reassure the international community and Nigerians that this latest cowardly attack on a UN helicopter which claimed the lives of two people, including a five year old baby, would not go without severe consequences.

“Boko Haram terrorists are clearly on the back foot and their increasing attacks on innocent civilians, including UN humanitarian workers, was part of their desperation to prove that they are strong in order to cover up their dwindling fortunes.

“The security of foreigners and Nigerians remain the top priority of this administration, and we shall leave no stone unturned until we eliminate these remorseless enemies of humanity”, the President said.

The President also underscored the need for all humanitarian and other aid workers in the region to, at all times, properly coordinate movements — air or land, with the Theatre Commander and other military authorities.