Unic Press UK: Following an emergency meeting Friday with the representatives of UNICEF, the theatre command of Nigerian Army’s operation LAFIYA DOLE has ended its hitherto suspension of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) activities in the North East region of Nigeria.
In a statement inked by the theatre command, the Nigerian Army Deputy Director of Public Relations, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, said:
“During the meeting, the Theatre Command admonished the representatives of the organization to desist from activities inimical to Nigeria’s national security and capable of undermining ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency. The Command also urged UNICEF representatives to ensure they share information with relevant authorities whenever induction or training of new staff is being conducted in the theatre. Consequently, after extensive deliberations on the need to seek modalities to work harmoniously with the security agencies in the theatre of operation, the Theatre Command has henceforth lifted the three months suspension earlier imposed on UNICEF activities in North Eastern Nigeria.”
Prior to lifting the suspension on the same day it was imposed, the Nigerian Army had accused the UNICEF of abdicating its primary duty of care for vulnerable persons/children and engaging in the training of persons in clandestine activities that sabotage the counter terrorism and counter insurgency efforts.
