7th July, 2015
The pathetic fate of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Northeastern part of Nigeria was fully brought home on social media and some television stations last weekend. The victims of Boko Haram insurgency were shown in large numbers in photographs feeding from buckets and trays. This stirred an angry debate on social media about the neglect and poor treatment being meted out to these Nigerians comprising mainly women and children displaced from their homes following the unrelenting onslaught of Boko Haram terrorists. Some have described the situation as scandalous.
It is begging the issue to say the internally displaced persons deserve a better life considering the millions of dollars so far donated to make life easier for them in various camps. Although the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, visited one of the camps in Borno State last week where he assured the victims that the Federal Government would assist in rebuilding their homes, markets and churches destroyed by Boko Haram, the story from the various IDP camps is very pathetic.
The IDPs are worse off in four camps in Lugbe, Area One, New Kuchingoro and Kuje all in Nigeria’s capital territory, Abuja. They are facing hard times as the camps are not fit for human habitation. In one of these camps uncompleted building is turned into a living apartment by the IDPs who also used their wrappers as window blinds. Others live in make-shift structures without potable water and public conveniences. In one of the Abuja camps the IDPs are being asked to pay rent for the temporary shelter they are occupying. How could people fleeing from war zone raise money to pay rent?
It is double tragedy for these compatriots whose social and economic well-being has been disrupted and now they have to contend with starvation and poor living condition in their camps. Thanks to churches and NGOs that have been donating basic food items such as rice, beans, yam, noodles and other items such as clothings to the victims, the situation could have been worse for the IDPs, some of whom have spent more than two years in the camps.
The Federal Government and aid agencies should step up their support to these disadvantaged folks to make life easier and meaningful for them. They must be made to have a sense of belonging now that they have found themselves in a situation beyond their control.
The government should also expedite action on the rehabilitation of towns and communities destroyed by Boko Haram so that the displaced persons could return home and live their normal lives. The reclaimed and rehabilitated territories must be made safe before the IDPs are allowed to return to avoid being attacked again by insurgents that appear to be staging a bloody comeback in recent weeks in the north.