The Nigerian government has said the operations of non-governmental organisations in the restive north east region must be in line with the country’s security needs and requirements.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Safiya Umar, said this at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The announcement came weeks after the Nigerian Army barricaded two international groups in Borno State and stopped them from operating.
Ms Umar said the government will take a bigger responsibility in the management of the humanitarian situation in the region.
The Nigerian Army had earlier stopped the Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps.
The Army said without giving evidence that they were suspended for alleged involvement in activities capable of sabotaging the military counter-insurgency operations.
These activities were said to include supplying food, fuel and medicine to Boko Haram insurgents.
Ms Umar said the suspension of the organisations is to enable the government to carry out a review of the situation.
This, she said will enable the delivery of better services to the IDPs.
“We have reviewed concerns both locally and internationally on the recent concerns of the suspension of some NGOs in the North-East.
