Red Cross denies backing armed groups in northern Nigeria

2026-03-23 - 22:23

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) have refuted claims circulating on social media. The claims allege that the Red Cross is providing support to armed groups in Northern Nigeria. The organisations described the claims as false and misleading. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Chima Nwankwo, Head of Communications for the NRCS, on Monday in Abuja. “The ICRC and NRCS are aware of harmful social media content claiming that the Red Cross is supporting armed groups in Northern Nigeria. “Both organisations categorically refute these claims, which are false,” Nwankwo said. He said that the allegations contradicted the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and risk undermining its humanitarian mission. “Such misleading information can jeopardise our purely humanitarian work and deny thousands of vulnerable people access to vital aid,” he added. Nwankwo explained that the organisations’ priority was to assist the most vulnerable people affected by crises, including armed conflict, while maintaining transparency, independence, neutrality and impartiality. He further stated that, in carrying out its mandate, the ICRC engaged in humanitarian dialogue with all parties to a conflict where necessary. “The organisation never provides any party with financial, logistical or other forms of support,” he said. He also urged the public to verify information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation. (NAN)