The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IDPs

  • Police arrest IDPs for protesting in Maiduguri

    Borno State Police Command has arrested Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, in connection with yesterday’s protest to return home.

    The Nation reports that displaced people from Bama on Sunday morning demonstrated on Bama/Maiduguri Highway, near University of Maiduguri Gate II, to demand their return to Bama where they were displaced by Boko Haram insurgents about three years ago.

    During the protest, coordinated by Bama Initiative for Human Development, led by the Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Hassan, the IDPs decried the slow process of their return, and decided to embark on the journey home, “even if it means trekking to Bama.”

    Hassan said 70 per cent of reconstruction and rehabilitation had been completed, adding that they are tired of living as displaced persons.

    “We’ve been in Maiduguri for more than three years without means of livelihood. Our people’s condition is pathetic. The process of returning displaced persons to their homes is slow. It exposes them to unbearable conditions.

    “We can no longer send our children to schools. Many have died of hunger. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” he said.

    Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said the IDPs did not notify the command of their planned return to Bama.

    He advised them to dialogue with the government and other stakeholders over their demand so that preparations would be made for them.

    His words: “The police have a duty to protect you. We will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return.

    “Reconstruction and rehabilitation work is on in Bama, executed by federal and state governments under the Bama Initiative. We will not allow you to go because of your safety. You better go back and wait for the time the government will permit your return to the town.”

    It was learnt that the protesters persisted, giving the police no option but to arrest them.

    A police source confirmed  in Maiduguri that the demonstrators, including their leaders, are in police custody and will be prosecuted.

    The source said: “I cannot believe that despite the subtle approach and advice by the Police commissioner to these people, they became riotous. We were left with no choice but to arrest them. It is the duty of the police to protect life, property as well as maintain law and order.”

    There is apprehension of more protests by the IDPs, as news of the arrest spread.

    The government has urged the protesters to be patient, to allow the smooth actualisation of their return home.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, speaking through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Gusau, said the government was not against return of IDPs to their homes.

    “It is to the government’s advantage if IDPs return home because their return will lessen the economic burden of keeping them in camps.

    “The greatest wish of the governor is safe return of IDPs to their communities. Much as he wants them to return, he is also concerned about their safety.

    “Governor Shettima is committed to the rebuilding of homes, police stations, hospitals, schools, water facilities, markets, council secretariats and others in communities across 15 local governments in the state,’’ he said.

    Gusau said the government built 20,000 housing units in Bama and provided health facilities, schools and police stations.

    He added that the Federal Government is training a Special Anti-Terrorism Squad and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to be deployed in the town under the Bama Initiative.

    Gusau said the squad and agro-rangers, trained to secure farmers, would replace the military.

    “We have to ensure that there is return of civil security before IDPs can return.

    “The governor encourages safe and dignified return only after putting the right things in place,” he stressed.

    The aide said the government re-built houses and re-settled displaced persons in parts of Kaga, Konduga and Gwoza councils.

     

     

     

  • We’ll protect IDPs – Borno CP

    We’ll protect IDPs – Borno CP

    The Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr. Damian Chukwu, said on Monday that police in the state would ensure the safety of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri and the entire state.

    Chukwu while reacting to reports of mass protest by displaced people in Maiduguri said:  “Urgent and aggressive measures are already in place to forestall orderliness and ensure protection of lives and property in the state.

    “We must protect and respect the rights of one another. The IDPs like I continue to say must explore dialogue on matters that border on their welfare. We the security agents on the other hand have the duty to protect them in all they do. We need the cooperation of everyone to overcome the security challenges in the state.”

    The police commissioner described Sunday’s incident as unfortunate and unnecessary, while appealing to the displaced people to be patient and avoid taking the laws into their hands.

     

     

  • IDPs demand return to home

    IDPs demand return to home

    The Bama Initiative for Human Development, a non-government organisation (NGO), protested yesterday in Maiduguri, demanding return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their communities in Bama.

    The Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Hassan, said IDPs would want to return home and continue their activities, following restoration of peace.

    He said about 70 per cent of the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects had been completed, adding that they were tired of living as displaced persons.

    “We have been in Maiduguri for more than three years without means of livelihood. The condition of our people is pathetic.

    “The process of returning displaced persons to their homes is moving at a snail’s pace and exposing them to unbearable conditions.

    “We can no longer send our children to school; many have died of hunger and starvation. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” Hassan said.

    He said most of them were traumatised, coupled with neglect and poor living condition, adding that they were ready to trek to Bama.

    The police, however, stopped the demonstrators from embarking on the trek, urging them to drop the idea for safety.

    Police Commissioner Mr. Damian Chukwu said the group had not notified the command of their planned return to Bama.

    He advised the IDPs to dialogue with the government and other stakeholders over their demand so that preparations would be made.

    “The police have a duty to protect you. We will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return.

    “Also, reconstruction and rehabilitation work is ongoing in the town, executed by the federal and state governments under the Bama Initiative.

    “We will not allow you to go because of your safety. You better go back and wait for the time when the government will permit your return to the town,” Chukwu said.

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima urged the IDPs to cooperate with the government to fast-track completion of rehabilitation projects in the town.

    Malam Isa Gusau, special adviser to the governor on Communication and Media Strategy, made this known in a statement in Maiduguri.

    “It is to the government’s advantage if IDPs return home because their return will lessen economic burden of supporting them as displaced persons.

    “The greatest wish of the governor is the safe and dignified return of IDPs to their communities. Much as he wants the IDPs to return, he is also concerned about their safety.

    “Governor Shettima is committed to the ongoing rebuilding of homes, police stations, hospitals, schools, water facilities, markets, council secretariats and others in communities across 15 local governments,’’ he said.

    Gusau said the government had built 20,000 housing units in Bama and provided modern health facilities, schools and police stations.

    He added that the Federal Government was training a special Anti-Terrorism Squad and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to be deployed in the town under the Bama Initiative.

    The spokesman said the special squad and agro-rangers, trained to secure farmers in their farmlands,

  • Police arrest reporter over protest story in IDPs camps

    Police arrest reporter over protest story in IDPs camps

    The Benue Police Command has arrested Mr Emmanuel Atswen, a reporter of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), over a report on the protest by IDPs at the International Market camp in Makurdi.
    NAN reports that the IDPs, on Sept. 12, protested against alleged diversion of relief materials, and blocked the main entrance into the camp to stop vehicles loaded with the assorted relief materials, from driving out.
    Some of the protesters, who spoke with NAN, said that they were prompted to protest because such diversion had become more persistent, insisting that it was not the first time camp officials were loading materials from the camp”s warehouse.
    Atswen, who was at the camp when the protest took place, not only filed the story, but took still and video pictures of the protesters.
    He also spoke with the Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Mr Joseph Utsev, who promised to investigate the protest.
    The state government had earlier removed the camp manager over alleged “irregularities”.
    Miffed by the protests, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Boniface Ortese, recently closed down all the camps hosting victims of the Benue floods, after claiming that they had been taken over by hoodlums.
    Atswen, who was arrested on Friday in Makurdi, is being accused of “defamation of character and falsehood”.
    One Mr Offor, the police officer investigating the case, turned down pleas by journalists and lawyers to release Atswen on bail, and ignored arguments that the offences he was being charged with were bailable.
    NAN reports that prior to Atswen’s arrest, the SEMA boss had petitioned NAN over the same story, demanding N3 billion as damages, even though neither his name nor his agency were mentioned in the report.
    The NAN management, in a press statement on Saturday in Abuja, however, said that it was standing by its protest story, and reiterated its commitment to reporting the truth always.
    The NAN management declared that the said story did not violate the tenets of the journalism profession. (NAN)
  • WHO asses cholera outbreak in Maiduguri

    WHO asses cholera outbreak in Maiduguri

    …says the outbreak was anticipated.

     

    The Country Representative of World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria, Dr. Alemu Wondi has expressed satisfaction with the rate of coverage and the intervention going on against the outbreak of cholera in Borno State.

    Dr. Wondi who is in Maiduguri to access the level of intervention from his organization and the coordinated activities against the outbreak from other parts and way forward to curtain the outbreak visited Muna Garage Camp, one the IDPs camp hit by the outbreak.

    Dr. Wondi at the Muna Garage visited patients at the treatment centre at the camp as well as vaccinate some IDPs.

    While fielding questions from journalists, the Country Representative also informed that the outbreak was anticipated and adequate preparations were made to tackle it.

    He noted that WHO together with the state government and other partners are working hand in hand to stop the spread of the disease, adding that he is satisfied with the level of coverage so far.

    His words: “WHO is closely working with the state ministry of Health and other partners. We have supported the initial confirmation as well as in the process of the control particularly in the coordinator aspect and supporting the partners and state ministry of health in building of these treatment centers, provision of medicament, other supply and Human Resources. Particularly in the surveillance. Technical support. House to house finding of cases and directing them to the treatment centre. We also make sure that the water supply intervention groups is forcing the the information

    “There was a discussion that took place two weeks ago to employ another intervention, that is vaccination. This vaccination has been undertaken now and so far this is the fifth day and the coverage is encouraging. There is another day of mopping up to make sure that those who are missed in the process are also covered.

    “The protection rate is 65 to 70% but what is critical is that this is not the only intervention that protects people.. It is just one of the additional program. It’s important that the water is boiled before use, it’s important that they are not defecating anywhere but in designated places and health education and communication are the things we are supporting,” Dr. Wondi explained.

    Speaking on whether the outbreak took them unawares, Dr. Wondi said, “We were prepared  right from maybe by May or June that before the rainy season that  the outbreak  was going to come.  The preparation was done in leadership with the  State Government and other partners had made adequate arrangement. Some of the medicine and kits were preposition”.

    The WHO country rep was brief at the camp the doctor on duty, Dr. Hanatu Ngamjiwa told Dr. Wondi that there were a number of 26 patients at the facility with four new case of admission as at the time the country rep visited.

    Dr. Ngamjiwa informed that the numbers of new cases at the facility has drastically dropped, just as an improvement of hygiene and sanitation at camp.

  • Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United clash in charity match

    Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United clash in charity match

    Nigeria Premier League clubs Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Nasarawa United will play a charity match to raise funds for flood victims in Benue on Wednesday.

    Lobi Stars Vice Chairman, Mike Idoko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that the match was to support the state government and other donors supporting those displaced by flood in the state.

    “The gate fee is N100, and its an opportunity to contribute to improving the situation of the IDPs through the premier league clubs,” the official said.

    Idoko called on well meaning individuals across the country to turn out in their large numbers and support the good cause.

    He said Lobi Stars FC enjoys tremendous support from Makurdi fans, stressing that the charity match is also to thank the fans for their support.

    Lobi and Nasarawa finished in the top ten of the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League, with Lobi Stars Anthony Okpotu emerging top scorer for the season.

    NAN reports that the match would be played at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

  • Cholera spreads through IDPs camps in Nigeria – UN

    Cholera spreads through IDPs camps in Nigeria – UN

    Cholera is spreading fast through Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

    Most deaths were recorded in Muna Garage camp on the outskirts of state capital Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency that had also destabilised neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

    A UN report said more than 530 suspected cases of cholera had been registered by Tuesday – more than three times the number reported five days earlier.

    At least 23 people had died, it added, up from 11 reported on August 31.

    The outbreak began late last month and aid workers had already warned that Nigeria’s rainy season could spread disease in already unsanitary displacement camps, Reuters reported.

    About 1.8 million people have abandoned their homes because of violence or food shortages during the conflict, UN agencies said.

    “As well as Muna Garage, the nearby camps of Custom House, Ruwan Zafi and Bolori II also had cholera cases, and there were reports of outbreaks in the areas of Moguno and Dikwa, northeast and east of Maiduguri,” UN added.

     

     

  • Flood: officials, IDPs decry poor facilities at camp

    Flood: officials, IDPs decry poor facilities at camp

    Mr James Iorhuna, manager of the camp hosting persons displaced by the Makurdi flood, has decried the poor state of social and medical facilities at the camp.

    Manager told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Makurdi that the camp, located at the Makurdi International Market, was “not habitable”.

    “Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) faced with health challenges have no place for medical attention; with 450 households already registered here, there is an urgent need for more facilities,” he said.

    The manager particularly regretted that the camp had no food, mosquito nets, health facilities, mattresses and other essentials that could guarantee minimum comfort for the flood victims.

    “The IDPs have nothing to eat. They are still waiting for the relief materials promised by government. For now, everyone is helpless,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Terwase Tarkende, an IDP, said that there was no facility “for the most minimum comfort”.

    Tarkende said that his son, James, who took ill two days ago had been starving and without any medical attention due to lack of funds.

    Another IDP, Mrs. Rosemary Audu, who is in the camp with her five children, complained of hunger.

    “We have not seen food since we arrived the camp,” she said.

    She appealed to the government to make immediate arrangements for feeding to avoid health complications arising from hunger.

  • Borno: SEMA spends N2bn on distribution of food, condiments to IDPs – Official

    Borno: SEMA spends N2bn on distribution of food, condiments to IDPs – Official

    The Borno State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) on Saturday said it expended over N2 billion on distribution of food items and condiments to IDPs in the last four years.

    SEMA’s Chairman Alhaji Satomi Ahmad, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Satomi said that the amount went into procurement and distribution of food stuff, firewood, drugs and condiments to persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

    He said that the gesture was to augment the Federal Government and development agencies’ efforts to support the displaced persons and address humanitarian crisis.

    “Previously, the agency spent about N20 million on procurement and distribution of firewood alone to displaced households in the camps and liberated communities.

    “The trend resulted in unprecedented upsurge in the demand and supply of firewood in the state.

    “ This also naturally resulted in depletion of forest resources and destruction of the environment which left us with no options than to start using charcoal,” he said.
    Satomi said the choice of charcoal came with high cost as the initial funds for firewood went up astronomically.

    The chairman said the agency had also concluded arrangements to de-worm and immunise all children in IDPs camps and liberated communities.

    He said that the exercise was designed to protect children against diseases, reduce morbidity and mortality.

    According to him, the agency had deployed nine mobile clinics to enhance rapid response and disaster management services in the state.

  • Fed Govt. consolidates Gombe IDPs rehab with food

    After halting the terror group Boko Haram and scaling back much of their atrocities the federal government mapped out a bold plan to rehabilitate displaced persons. First they were profiled and sheltered in camps. Some educational activities have been introduced in the camps for traumatised children whose academic pursuits were halted by the Islamist gang.

    Another initiative of the government is the food intervention plan in the Northeast. No fewer than 40,009 metric tonnes of food items are distributed to the IDPs scattered across the region.

    The distribution team led by Abdulsalam Mohammed of the National Emergency Management agency (NEMA) has been in Gombe over the last one week to distribute about 1,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains allotted to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.

    Speaking during the distribution exercise at Kagarawal community in Gombe metropolis, Mohammed said the team had been at work for about a week and would go round every community where IDPs reside in all the local government areas of the state.

    The exercise started with the house-to-house enumeration of IDPs, which was conducted a few weeks ago, an entirely new innovation in relief distribution. It is being carried out on a door-to-door basis; that is taking the items directly to the people.

    The IDPs after their enumeration were issued with enumeration cards to serve as proof of their status. This qualifies them for the relief items.

    The whole idea, the team leader said, is to guard against the mistakes of the past, such as diversion, stealing of other people’s rations through impersonation, and ensuring that only those qualified are given.

    Although the distribution at Kagarawal took place at a central location because of persistent downpour, but it was done at the IDPs’ community.

    Each household of six members and below, according to the team leader, is given a single ration of grains, made up of 50 kg of maize, 12.5kg of soya beans and 12.5kg of guinea corn.

    He explained that the food items were given to households or families, which is measured on the basis of six members and below, hence the ration allocated to a family is determined by its size.

    “A family/household is measured on the basis of six members and below. And where there is more than that, the family gets additional ration. For instance, if you are not more than six in your family, we will give you a single ration. If you are up to seven and above or 12 and below, we’ll give you two rations. It will again increase if we have 13 and above or 18 and below,” explained the NEMA Director.

    He called on beneficiaries that the items are for consumption and not for sale, even as he commended the IDPs’ leadership structure and effectiveness.

    The beneficiaries led by their state chairman, Abba Jatto Damboa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative. They also appreciated NEMA for delivering the goods to those they are meant for, even at their doorsteps.

    They described the exercise as the best food relief distribution they had ever witnessed because it takes into consideration the size of the various families. They said it is unlike the previous ones where even single adults got the same quantity of items as large families got.