A France-based non-governmental organisation, Première Urgence Internationale, is accused of working alongside Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists after a recent discovery by Nigerian troops.
With headquarters in Asnieres-sur-Seine on the suburbs of Paris, Première prides itself as an “international NGO which helps civilians who are marginalised or excluded as a result of natural disasters, war and economic collapse.”
The self-acclaimed humanitarian group first gained access to Nigeria in 2016, setting up activities in various complementary domains in order to respond to the vulnerable populations’ needs in the north-east.
However, a recent revelation by the gallant troops may suggest otherwise and there are further doubts that the group are fueling insurgency in the region.
Recently, many other foreign NGOs have been fingered in fueling insurgency, instead of providing aid to the returning inhabitants following massive clear out by the resilient troops on the frontline, Première acted as a rehab centre for the utterly wounded and defeated fighters.
A Boko Haram terrorist, with an identification card belonging to Première, was on Sunday night killed by the troops in Gubio, Borno State.
Adam Idris Kubo, as displayed on his ID, works with the French NGO as a Pharmacist.
This has somewhat vindicated the Nigerian Army’s decision to shut down two foreign groups – Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps and justified the call by some local civil society organisations to ban these international NGOs.
UPDATED:
A senior colleague to the man whose ID card was retrieved from the killed terrorist has claimed that the report that follows Nigerian troops’ discovery is fallacious, read here.