A UNAMID peacekepeer recovers at UNAMID's hospital in El Geneina from the injures sustained in the ambush. Photo by Albert González Farran

El Fasher, 3 October 2012 -- Four peacekeepers of the African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) have been killed and eight injured in an ambush by unidentified assailants that took place on the evening of 2 October in El Geneina, West Darfur.

The incident, which involved a Nigerian military patrol, occurred approximately two kilometers from the Mission's regional headquarters.

UNAMID personnel, who were heavily fired upon from several directions, returned fire. UNAMID and local authorities are working at the scene of the incident.

"The Mission condemns in the strongest terms this criminal attack on our peacekeepers who are here in the service of Darfur's people. I call on the Government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice," said UNAMID Force Commander and currently the Mission's officer-in-charge, Lt. General Patrick Nyamvumba.