The presidency has spoken on Nigerian army’s announcement on Friday that it has “suspended” all activities of UNICEF in North-east.

Mr Garba Shehu, spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, said Nigerian Army and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) would meet on Saturday over the issue.

Mr Shehu disclosed this, even as Amnesty International condemned the suspension.

”The Military Commander and his team have a meeting with UNICEF tomorrow, to resolve issues of concern regarding some of the actions of the UN agency. They will resolve their issues by tomorrow,” Shehu said in a text message in response to an inquiry over the issue by this newspaper.

The spokesperson avoided commenting on whether President Buhari approved the army’s announcement before it was made.

The army’s statement was on Friday condemned by an international human rights organisation, Amnesty International.

In its reaction, Amnesty International in a statement signed by Mr Osai Ojigho, its director in Nigeria, called on Nigerian authorities to reverse the suspension.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns attempts by Nigerian army to demonize UNICEF’s lifesaving work in the northeast of the country, where Boko Haram conflict has created one of the deadliest humanitarian disasters in the world,” Ojigho said.

”We see the suspension of UNICEF as part of a wider drive to intimidate international humanitarian and human rights organizations who are working to save lives in this devastating conflict.

“Nigerian army has accused UNICEF of ‘aiding Boko Haram’ – an absurd charge. The suspension of UNICEF will, in fact, deprive those whose lives have been devastated by the Boko Haram conflict from receiving much-needed humanitarian assistance.

“We call on Nigerian authorities to reverse the suspension of UNICEF immediately. Nigerian military should focus on protecting lives rather than smearing NGOs.”

PT