ICRC and Nigerian Red Cross Address Allegations of Supporting Armed Groups in Northern Nigeria

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) together with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) have officially refuted claims arising on social media that the organization is offering support to armed groups within northern Nigeria.

In a statement made public on Tuesday, both entities denounced these assertions as "false" and cautioned that spreading such misinformation could jeopardize their humanitarian efforts, ultimately hindering access to critical assistance for those in need.

The organizations stated, "The allegations are entirely contrary to the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement," emphasizing that the claims represent misleading information that could endanger life-saving initiatives.

They reiterated that their core mission focuses on assisting the most vulnerable individuals impacted by crises, inclusive of armed conflicts. They committed to maintaining strict principles of neutrality, independence, transparency, and impartiality in their operations.

Additionally, the Red Cross clarified that, while they do engage in humanitarian dialogues with all parties in conflict zones to facilitate access to affected individuals, they do not provide any form of financial, logistical, or other types of support to armed groups.

The organizations urged the public to depend on credible and official information sources and advised against sharing unverified information online.

This communication comes amidst the spread of misinformation in Nigeria’s conflict-laden areas, particularly in the North-east, where insurgency has resulted in substantial casualties and displacement.

During an interview with content creator Lucky Udu, an individual known as Sa’adu alleged that Red Cross personnel had visited Sambisa forest to "distribute clothes and food," after being abducted by Boko Haram and held captive for several months.

Sa’adu's claim gained traction when it was echoed by Albab Abdullahi, a Facebook user identifying as a former soldier and security consultant, who claimed the Red Cross is failing to save lives and instead is aiding the insurgency.

This post has rapidly disseminated across various social media platforms, further deepening an environment marked by mistrust, restricted access to verified information, and ongoing violence tied to the protracted insurgency.

Such accusations against humanitarian organizations in the region are not novel. Last year, President Bola Tinubu ordered the closure of the International Non-Governmental Organisation Safety Organisation (INSO) over alleged connections to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which had been accused by a U.S. lawmaker of funding Boko Haram.

Furthermore, in 2023, the Zamfara State government ordered non-governmental organizations to vacate the state, accusing them of exacerbating insecurity in the region. Although these allegations haven't been substantiated, they have intensified skepticism regarding humanitarian activities in the North-east.

Organizations operating in conflict zones often face such accusations due to the nature of their work. The ICRC, for instance, has a protocol to engage all parties involved in conflicts solely to ensure humanitarian access, ensuring aid reaches civilians trapped in difficult terrains or insurgent-controlled areas. However, this neutral engagement is frequently misconstrued as complicity or support.

For over a decade, Nigeria's North-east has been the focal point of a humanitarian crisis resulting from insurgency, displacement, and chronic food insecurity. Aid organizations, including the Red Cross, are vital in delivering food, medical care, and protective services to impacted communities. Nevertheless, the operational environment remains extremely sensitive, with both state and non-state entities scrutinizing the access of humanitarian organizations.