In the remote Ngoshe region of Nigeria’s Borno State, a new tragedy has struck, revealing the dark and ruthless shadow of Boko Haram militants. An unconfirmed video has emerged of the brutal murder of two Red Cross staff members in the community, adding another layer of terror to a region already ravaged by violence.
In the disturbing video clip, the unidentified leader of the terror group spoke in the Hausa language, claiming that several members of his community had been molested by security forces. This twisted justification led to the arrest of some Red Cross workers, as well as elderly women, including a sister of the leader himself.
The horror unfolded before our eyes, as the victims were mercilessly hacked to death, in a gruesome scene that prompted cheers of “Allahu Akbar” from the complicit witnesses.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the region’s representative in the Senate, reacted with dismay to this horrific news, highlighting once again the challenges faced by the people of Gwoza, victims of renewed attacks by the terrorist group. Their cries for help have so far gone largely unheard, but this latest unbearable violence only underscores the urgency of effective action.
As the international community turns away from this terrible reality, the cries of distress of the people of Ngoshe remain largely unheeded. The Red Cross, a humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives and providing aid to the most vulnerable, finds itself once again grieving the loss of its courageous employees, victims of the extremists’ callous cruelty.
It is imperative that the international community, local governments and humanitarian agencies urgently mobilize to prevent further atrocities, provide assistance to victims and ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable populations. The time has come to confront the brutality of Boko Haram and defend the values of peace, humanity and solidarity that are at the heart of our common humanity.