Iran Press/Africa: Most of the Northeastern Nigeria inhabitants fled to neighbouring Cameroon and Chad last Saturday and Sunday according to United Nation Refugee Agency's spokesperson. Thousands more have fled in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, spokesman for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Babar Baloch said at a press briefing in Geneva that humanitarian operations have been halted and aid workers pulled out from region after an upsurge in hostilities in Northeastern Nigeria.
According to an Iran Press report, Babar Baloch also informed of widespread destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure by Boko Haram terrorists.
The recent upsurge in violence has resulted in 80,000 civilians fleeing their homes in Borno State, where they are surviving in tough conditions, Baloch said.
According to UN reports, Boko Haram terrorist attacks targeting civilians caused more than 250,000 people to be displaced from their home in northeast Nigeria, with thousands more fleeing for their lives each day.
A US$ 848 million budget is needed to provide food and assistance to those that have been affected by the crisis in Nigeria, the UN agency said.
UN also launched an additional appeal for US$135 million to help those that have been displaced by the insurgency in the Lake Chad, which has also borne the brunt of attacks.
Boko Haram insurgents have waged a decade-long war burning villages, mosques and churches in northern Nigeria.
Military bases have come under intense attack from the group's militants in recent months with reports of large numbers of Nigerian army casualties. The army's leadership often denies these reports.
In November, Nigerian army was forced to admit that 44 soldiers killed in just an attack on its military base in Metele village, Borno.
At least 15 people were killed in a spate of attacks on four villages in Maiduguri in Borno State in the same month.
Insurgents have also reportedly reclaimed Baga, a village on the outskirts of Maiduguri and hundreds of residents, including the village head, have fled their homes.
Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates as “Western education is forbidden,” pledged allegiance to the Takfiri ISIS group in 2015.
Boko Haram’s terrorist activity began in northeastern Nigeria from 2009 and apart from targeting soldiers and civilians, the Takfiri terrorists have also been blamed for using kidnapping as a weapon of war, seizing thousands of women and young girls as well as men and young boys.
Boko Haram’s nine-year militancy is estimated to have killed more than 27,000 people and forced 1.8 million others to flee their homes, also triggering a humanitarian crisis.
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