The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IDPs

  • NAPTIP warns against abuse of IDPs

    Ms Julie Okah-Donli, the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has warned that any forms of abuse on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country would no longer be tolerated.

    OKah-Donli, gave the warning during her visit to the new Kushingoro IDPs’ camp in Abuja to commemorate Children’s day and Democracy Day.

    She said that her agency would henceforth not tolerate any abuse on vulnerable Nigerians and less privileged persons in the society.

    According to her, such crime would not be swept under carpet irrespective of the status of the offender and the circumstances.

    “NAPTIP will no more tolerate any abuse of children and women in any of the IDPs’ camps in any part of the country under any situation.

    “We have reactivated our working relationship and collaboration with divers partners and other sister security agencies as well as several caregivers working at the various IDPs camps with a view to unmask any act of abuse within those locations” she said.

    The NAPTIP boss stated that the present security challenges that have displaced thousands of persons across the Northern parts of the country did not mean that those affected had lost their rights.

    She said, “I want all Nigerians to know that these sets of people who are victims of insurgency and other security challenges have their rights intact as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “So, they should be respected and accorded the desired rights and privileges like other citizens of the country.

    “NAPTIP will not tolerate any act that constitutes any form of abuse in any of the camps, their present predicament is nothing but just a bend in their journey of life, it is not the end of their life.

    “Let us join hands to restore hope to them, let us join hands to put them back on the track so that they can contribute their own quota to the development of the nation.

    “As a focal agency that is committed to the protection of Nigerians, NAPTIP has strengthened its partnership and working relationship with other sister Security Agencies working inside the various camps as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    “The partnership will help to nipping any act of abuse in any of the camps in the bud”, she said.

    She urged IDPs to avail themselves of the opportunity of staying at the camp to develop themselves in skill acquisition in order to be self-reliance.

    Speaking on behalf of the IDPs, Mr Philemon Emmanuel from Borno State thanked the NAPTIP director-general for visiting them as well as donating large quantity of essential consumable to them.

    He called on other government agencies and corporate bodies to emulate the gesture. (NAN)

  • UNHCR begins relocation of 10,000 IDPs to permanent camp in Benue

    The Assistant Representative in charge of Operation at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Boubacar Bamba, said on Friday the agency has commenced the relocation of over 10,000 Internally Displaced Persons Cameroonians to permanent camps in Benue State.

    Bamba told journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, that the IDPs were being moved to “a safer and permanent place following clashes between French and English speaking parts of Cameroon.

    The IDPs were formally camped at a temporary camp at Abande community in Kwande local government area of Benue but were moved to a permanent site at Anyeke in the same local government.

    The IDPs have been in Benue as a result of the internal conflict in their country.

    “Over 50 per cent of the populations are children while 30 per cent are women. Benue State which shares border with Cameroon had in 2017 witnessed over 10 thousand refugees camped in Kwande Local govt area of the state,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr. Josiah Flomo, head of sub office Calabar, also explained the reasons for the relocation of the Cameroonian to their new camp.

    “We hope the crises will come to an end, but before then we have to see the IDPs camped in conducive environment.

    “We intend to move them to the permanent site so they can have basic social amenities and security,” Flomo said.

    Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Benue Emergency Management Agency, Emmanuel Shior, who represented Governor Samuel Ortom at the occasion, thanked the UN for its response and building a better shelter for the Cameroonians IDPs.

     

     

  • Amnesty International, greatest threat to humanity – Coalition

    An anti terrorism group, the Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has accused international agency.
    Amnesty International of being a threat to humanity, as well as Nigeria’s sovereignty.
    Addressing journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the national co-ordinator, Gabriel Onoja, said it is obvious that Amnesty International has continued to lead the psychological war on terror against the people of Nigeria, whilst Boko Haram and other dissident elements execute the guerrilla warfare against our people.
    According to Onoja, the latest of such unfortunate war against the Nigerian people and humanity is plans by the AI to embarrass the Nigerian military with cooked up reports about cases of rape allegedly carried out by men of the armed forces at the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
    He accused Amnesty International, of succeeded in engaging in acts and comments that have seen it deteriorating from a group championing the cause of humanity to one that is defending criminals, criminalities, insurgency and terrorism.
    Onoja wondered how the military which it said has sacrificed so much to ensure normalcy returns to Nigeria’s northeast will now be subject to such reports being released by AI
    He said, “This allegation against the Nigerian military is unfortunate because the military as an institution is one that prides itself in the strict discipline and character moulding of its men from the day they enlist to when they leave.
    We have absolute confidence in the conduct of our military particularly those deployed on special operations and find it strange to come to terms with the current realities that Amnesty International has become another Army Against our troops.
    “it is public knowledge that no institution is responsive to reports of bad behavior, misconduct and other forms of indiscipline like the military.
    That is why within any military setting, you will find the full compliment for ensuring compliance with rules and regulations and for punishing acts of wrong doing like the appointment of provosts, RSMs , the building of guard rooms and the setting aside of tasking drills for punishment to erring men and officers.”
    He expressed concern that the AI allegations against the country’s military is coming at a time when the terrorists have been reduced to the barest minimum.
    According to him, Amnesty International may have done some good works in the past and elsewhere in the world, but it’s current intervention in Nigeria since the war against insurgency intensified leaves much to be desired.
    “who does Amnesty International protect? Who pays Amnesty International to execute these heinous briefs against our military?” he queried.
    “If they’re not complaining about the number of suspects arrested, they are busy alleging acts that never existed. We are all aware that the fight against insurgency is not a tea party,” he added.
    He said many innocent Nigerians including, women and children have been killed by these terrorists that even some of their initial supporters have come to realize their error and have come out, not only to condem their actions but distanced themselves from the activities of the groups.

  • Okowa decries high number of IDPs

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has decried high number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), caused by attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    He urged Christians to be politically-motivated.

    Okowa advised them to back their prayers with actions, saying: “It is time for Christians to pray and equip themselves for future.

    ‘’Most times, Christians don’t arm themselves for future challenges. It is good to pray, but we should ensure we collect our permanent voter cards and vote on election days. We have a right to determine our future through the ballot box.”

    He spoke at the 3rd Session of the 14th Synod of Asaba Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, at St. Philips Anglican Church, Asaba.

    The governor enjoined churches to invest, saying it would reduce burden on members and boost evangelism.

    He said: “I’m glad that some churches are looking at alternative ways of generating funds. These investments will fund church activities, thereby removing financial pressure on members. It will encourage evangelism and create jobs.”

    Speaking on the synod’s theme: “The Lord of Hosts, Mighty in Battle,” Okowa urged Christians to live a life of faith, trust, loyalty and accountability, using every challenge as an opportunity to exercise their faith like the biblical David.

    He said David was ready to sacrifice his life for a sheep in his flock, adding: “If every Christian should live the way David lived and trusted in God, I believe we will go a long way as Christians. At this very trying time, if God be for us, who can be against us?

    “There is nothing the Lord cannot do if only we can trust him and work in his ways.”

    The Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Justus Mogekwu, hailed the Okowa administration for providing an enabling environment for investments to thrive.

    Bishop Nathaniel Inyom of Diocese of Makurdi, in his sermon, advised Christians to be vigilant, focused and utilise their numerical strength in voting for candidates who have the interest of Christians at heart.

    He condemned the high number of IDPs occasioned by attacks from suspected herdsmen and advised Christians to be politically-motivated.

  • Nassarawa killings: Ex-minister tasks FG on IDPs

    Mr Labaran Maku, the former Minister of Information, has called on the Federal Government to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who were victims of the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen in Nassarawa State.

    Maku made this call on Monday while addressing newsmen at Wakama village in Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the call had become imperative given the plight of the people of the Southern Senatorial Zone following incessant killings in the area.

    According to him, most Tiv people from Awe, Doma, Lafia, Keana and Obi Local Government Areas of the state have deserted their homes and communities as a result of the several attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    He lamented that the killing of more than 78 people, including security personnel within just a week in the state was tragic and called for serious concern and attention.

    “In other climes, the death of such number of people is worthy of national mourning.

    “Despite these killings, things are still moving on as if nothing has happened,” Maku added.

    He called on the Federal Government and the international community, especially charity organisations to step in with relief materials in order to ameliorate the plights of the IDPs.

    “The humanitarian crisis we have on our hands with the IDPs is quite enormous and required the support of all stakeholders, especially with the onset of the rainy season,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Nassarawa State Government had donated N10 million and some relief materials to the IDPs across the affected Local Government Areas of Awe, Keana, Doma and Obi.

    The items delivered through the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) include: 150 bags of rice, 78 bags each of beans and maize, and 45 bags of garri among others.

    Mr Boniface Ifer, the president of TIDA, said the money and relief items would go a long way to cushioning the hardship being faced by the displaced persons.

    He, however, called on the government to do more in the area of security to enable the people return to their homes.

    NAN

  • The case for IDPs

    Until recent years, the classification Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was not in common use in the country. Although the country has witnessed some crises in past years, having IDP camps was not as pronounced as we now have; no thanks particularly to the activities of the Book Haram terrorists mainly in Northeastern parts of the country.

    So many have been displaced across various states for one reason or the other that the government and other organisations have had to establish camps to cater for them.

    Last Thursday, I was part of a stakeholders’ round table meeting on a project titled: Monitoring Media Reportage and Portrayal of IDPs in Africa’ organised by Journalists for Christ International Outreach with the support of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC),  Bread for the World, and Waldensian Church’s Otto per Mille (OPM) Office in Italy.

    The project will examine the media portrayal and reportage of and about IDPs in Nigeria, Kenya and DRC with a view to identifying gaps in reportage within the context of advancing in-depth reportage on displaced persons in Africa.

    It also aims at galvanising stakeholders to respect and uphold basic rights and principles in line with OCHA ‘Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement’ intended to enhance an effective and timely response to the needs of IDPs.

    Based on the contributions of participants at the meeting, it was agreed that though the media has been reporting about the plight of displaced persons in the country, a lot still has to be reported about the various challenges they are coping with and the need for necessary actions to be taken by the government, local and international organisations.

    Beyond the occasional reports, mainly when government officials visit the IDP camps, it was noted that there was need for more in-depth coverage on salient issues of conditions of the camps, lack of basic facilities, human rights abuses, transparency in disbursement of funds and others.

    What usually comes to mind when IDPs and their camps are mentioned is the provision of relief materials, but the displaced persons need more than basic relief materials to cope with the trauma of being displaced from their homes or losing their family members.

    Most of the IDPs have gone through harrowing experiences that subjecting them to some inhuman living conditions amounts to double tragedy for them. The huge amounts government and support organisations claim to spend on catering for displaced persons are sometimes not commensurate with what is available in the camps.

    Early in the week, I watched a report of epidemic outbreak in a camp in Cross Rivers State due to lack of enough doctors to attend to infected persons.

    Except in instances where circumstances that led to the displacement of a group of persons remain unresolved, IDP camps are not supposed to be permanent. Necessary steps have to be taken to as quickly as possible return the victims to their natural abode with provisions made for their resettlement.

    Hopefully, the media monitoring project should reveal the gaps in media coverage and provide a basis to demand for best practices in catering for displaced persons in Nigeria.

  • Buhari to rehabilitate 175,000 IDPs in Benue

    …No going back on ranching law – Ortom

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday promised to rehabilitate about 175,000 persons who were displaced by herdsmen in Benue State.

    The affected persons have taken refuge in eight Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

    Speaking with State House journalists after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, also insisted on the  implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing law in the state.

    According to him, ranching remained the global best practice and Nigeria should not be an exception especially as land was decreasing because of increase in population.

    Ortom also backed the recent advice by the former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) for people to defend themselves.

    Such advice, he said, did not mean that people should carry banned arms.

    He said: “I am here first of all to thank Mr. President for the condolence visit to Benue State after the killings and to also intimate him of where we are now. To also remind him about the request of Benue people when he paid that visit and to assure him that Benue remains committed to united Nigeria and to work with him in ensuring that we collaborate with the Federal Government to provide security for lives and property in Nigeria.

    “I’m also here to intimate him on the plight of over 175,000 IDPs that we have in eight camps. They have expressed their desire to go back home. Mr. President is very passionate about their plight and has assured me that government will swing into action to ensure that rehabilitation is done to those homes that were displaced.

    “Because, if they go back home, where would they go and live when their house were destroyed? That assurance has been given and he will also look at the other issues that we brought before him. It is quite assuring that it will be well and I want to thank the President for the support he has shown.

    “I know that this crisis did not just start during his tenure, it precedes this government. When I was serving as minister, my ancestral home was destroyed, 53 people were killed and this was in 2013 when Mr. President was not yet here. But I think that what is important is the NEC sub-committee headed by the Vice President which is doing the needful.

    “I believe that the meeting we held and the subsequent ones that we are going to hold will definitely proffer a solution to this perennial problem and we resolve it once and for all. But we remain committed to our people and our ranching law and I believe that that is the way forward.”

     

     

  • NAF begins treatment of 4,450 IDPs in Benue

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Tuesday it has commenced medical outreach programmes for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement the programme which was based on the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is targeting 4,450 IDPs for treatment.

    AVM Adesanya said: ‘The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on 26 March 2018, flagged off a three-day Medical Outreach Programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Abagana-Agan IDP camp in Benue State.

    “This followed a directive by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the NAF Medical Services Branch to conduct the medical outreach for IDPs in the area so as to alleviate their sufferings.

    “Services to be provided during the medical outreach include primary healthcare and curative services, general and eye surgeries, mass deworming as well as provision of medicated glasses and insecticide treated mosquito nets.

    “While speaking during the flagging off ceremony, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Omaile Ojabo, lauded the NAF for coming to the aid of IDPs in the state.

    “She noted that the medical intervention by the NAF would go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the about 170,000 IDPs in the area.

    “Earlier in his remarks, the CAS, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC) Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, reiterated that the NAF is always mindful and committed towards alleviating health challenges of IDPs in the state and in Nigeria as a whole.

    “At the end of the outreach, it is projected that 4,450 IDPs would have been treated while 70 to 100 general and eye surgeries would have been conducted. The Agan IDP Camp has a population of over 20,000 persons. The NAF medical team is expected back in Abuja on 29 March 2018 .”

  • Ortom: I’m having sleepless nights over IDPs

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has lamented the condition and welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), saying he can no longer sleep following incessant herdsmen attacks.

    Ortom spoke when he toured four IDPs camps at Abagana, R.C.M Daudu, Shelter Daudu and Gbajimba.

    He said: “We are here to show our solidarity with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). We have continued to work to ensure that peace is restored in sacked communities so that people can go back to their ancestral homes.

    “I cannot sleep in the Government House because I think of how you are faring. I think about how over 12,000 of you, in just one camp, are coping outside your homes.

    “God should strengthen the President. We appreciate his efforts but we are appealing that exercise Ayem-A-Kpatuma be upgraded to an operation that would ensure that those sacked by Fulani herdsmen return to their ancestral homes.”

    Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Emmanuel Shior gave the population in the four camps as 34,019; 12,262; 11,782 and 24,019, making 82,562.

  • Air Force begins medical outreach for IDPs

    Air Force begins medical outreach for IDPs

    The Air Force has begun a two-week medical outreach for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri and Damboa, Borno State.

    According to Director of Public Relations and Information Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, the medical intervention: “Alleviating the Medical/Surgical Needs of IDPs in Maiduguri and Damboa”, is at the instance of Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    AVM Adesanya, in a statement, said the programme would address the health challenges of IDPs.

    The statement reads: “In continuation of efforts at alleviating the plights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast and other parts of the country, the Air Force (NAF) has begun a two-week medical outreach for IDPs in Maiduguri and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

    “Themed: “Alleviating the Medical/Surgical Needs of IDPs in Maiduguri and Damboa”, the outreach also involves surgical interventions for those with complicated and critical health challenges.

    “The leader of the NAF Medical Outreach Team, who is also the Director of Public Health and Humanitarian Services at Headquarters NAF, Group Capt. Azubuike Chukwuka, said the outreach, at the instance of the Chief of Air Ataff (CAS), is to assuage the sufferings of the IDPs and enhance civil-military relations, as part of ‘winning the hearts and minds’ strategy of the NAF.

    “Since the exercise started on February 13, the team has conducted 71 eye surgeries and 31 general surgeries. At Damboa, 32 eye operations and 10 general surgeries have been conducted

    “The team has so far provided free medical treatment to 590 IDPs at Damboa. Therefore, 1,272 IDPs have been attended to in Damboa and more are expected to benefit.”