Health worker killed by Boko Haram, Leah Sharibu threatened, Red Cross reacts

The Red Cross Society has reacted to the killing of a health worker by Boko Haram insurgents who also threatened their captive, Leah Sharibu.


The Red Cross Society gave the name of the health worker killed by Boko Haram as Saifura, and according to the society, the deceased was helping mothers and babies affected by the conflict. Read the statement below;

‘The International Committee of the Red Cross condemns in the strongest terms the tragic killing of its abducted colleague Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khrosa. It is appealing to the armed group to immediately release a second ICRC midwife and another health-care worker taken in north-eastern Nigeria in March.

“We are devastated by the murder of our colleague Saifura,” said Eloi Fillion, the head of the ICRC delegation in Abuja. “Saifura moved to Rann to selflessly help those in need. Our thoughts are with her family and other loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”

“At the time of their abduction, Saifura, as well as our colleague Hauwa Mohammed Liman and Alice Loksha, a nurse working in a UNICEF-supported centre, were providing essential antenatal care to communities in Rann, whose population has more than doubled after an influx of people fleeing violence.

“We urge those still holding our colleague Hauwa and Alice: release these women. Like Saifura, they are not part of the fight. They are a midwife and a nurse. They are daughters, a wife, and a mother – women with families that depend on them,” said Fillion. “Their families and friends miss them dearly and will not give up the hope of seeing them again soon. There is no ideology or religious law that could justify doing any harm to them.”



The insurgents on their own part, claimed that they had contacted government over the captives but did not get any response.

“We contacted the government through writing and also sent audio messages but the government have ignored us.

So, here is a message of blood. The other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu,” said a spokesman of the group in the execution video.

It was gathered that the children of the late health worker couldn’t comprehend their mother’s absence, as they frequently asked their grandmother if a passing plane was bringing their mother home. That grandmother must now find the words to tell two children their mother will never return.

Recall that in August, three abducted health workers in a video released by Boko Haram, appealed to President Buhari to do everything within his power to ensure their safe release.