Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed one of the three health workers they abducted in March at Ran, Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
A statement yesterday by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the organisation with which she was working with, confirmed the killing of Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, 25, a certified midwife.
Saifura was abducted along with Hauwa Mohammed Liman, Aldo of ICRC, and Alice Loksha of UNICEF, all of whom were providing essential antenatal care to communities in Ran, the population of whom had doubled due to the influx of people fleeing from the Boko Haram violence.
“We are devastated by the murder of our colleague, Saifura”, the statement quoted Eloi Fillion, head of ICRC delegation, Abuja, who added that “ Saifura moved to Ran to helplessly help those in need. Our thoughts are with her family and other loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
“We urge those still holding our colleagues, Hauwa and Alice, to release these women. Like Saifura, they are not part of the fight. They are midwife and nurse – women with families that depend on them.
The statement said the ICRC would not comment on the identity of the women’s abductors, their motives or the details surrounding Saifura’s death.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of the United States in Nigeria yesterday condemned Saifura’s killing.
The embassy, in a statement, said: “We utterly condemn this heinous and inhuman act and stand in solidarity with the ICRC and all those who work in service with the Nigerian people.
“Midwife Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa was providing care to those most vulnerable. This was a senseless murder.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, and to her colleagues, and to those still suffering in captivity.”
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