Boko Haram: Amnesty International reacts to killing of Saifura, calls for immediate action against insurgents

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of Saifura Khorsa, a humanitarian worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria in a statement released on Tuesday expressed regrets that humanitarian workers providing health care for victims of insurgency could be targeted.

He, therefore, called on the government to put more efforts in rescuing aid workers, Leah Sharibu and hundreds of civilians still being held captive by Boko Haram.

The statement reads: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the recent killing of Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, a midwife and aid worker, by Boko Haram.

“By this horrific act, 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.

“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.

“At Amnesty, we reiterate our calls once again that all those responsible for war crimes and other serious human rights violations and abuses must be brought to justice in a free and fair trial.”