ABUJA, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The army in northeastern Nigeria
forced non-profit Action Against Hunger to close its office in
the region, accusing it on Thursday of aiding terrorist groups
such as Boko Haram and Islamic State.
The international aid agency said it was ordered by soldiers
to close its main office in Maiduguri, Borno state, on
Wednesday.
Colonel Ado Isa, the deputy director of army public
relations, said Action Against Hunger was warned several times
that it was "aiding and abetting terrorists" by supplying food
and drugs.
"Consequently, the AAH has been declared persona (non)
grata," Isa said.
The humanitarian group, which focuses on providing water,
food and healthcare, particularly in areas plagued by conflict
and famine, called on "competent authorities" to let it continue
its work.
"This decision, without notice and without any explanation,
jeopardizes the assistance Action Against Hunger provides to the
most vulnerable people in Borno State and halts, with immediate
effect, the assistance Action Against Hunger provides to
millions of people in Maiduguri, Monguno, and Damasak," the
group said in a statement.
In July, an Action Against Hunger staff member and five
others traveling with her were kidnapped by Islamic State's West
Africa branch.
In total, around 30,000 people have been killed, and more
than two million forced to flee their homes, in the decade-long
insurgency led by Islamist militant group Boko Haram. Islamic
State in West Africa (ISWA) split from Boko Haram in 2016.
The United Nations has said that 7.1 million people still
need humanitarian assistance in the region.