Over 350, 000 Borno IDPs refused return to liberated communities

Date:

Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
August 11, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Borno State Government has yesterday called on Nigerian Peace
Corps (NPC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and media to sensitise
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps to return to liberated
communities and pick-up their lives.

The appeal was made on Friday in Maiduguri by the Commissioner of
Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Usman Zannah to mark Borno state
council of Nigerian Journalists (NUJ) Press Week.
He said despite the liberation of several communities by the military
for return of displaced persons, over 350, 000 of them still remain in
Maiduguri resettlement camps.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai has also yesterday
queried that; “the IDPs are still in camps, despite the liberation of
over a dozen communities in Borno state.”
“The most important thing for the military is to ensure that all
displaced persons return to their towns and villages; after the
military has cleared and liberated most of them across the state. But
I wonder, why the IDPs are still living in camps of Maiduguri
metropolis,” Buratai asked.
Buratai queried the overstay of IDPs in camps, while flagging off the
Medical Outreach of Nigerian Army at the NYSC orientation IDPs’ camp
on Damboa road on Thursday.

READ ALSO  BOKO HARAM VEHICLE OVERCROWDED, STAMPEDE KILLS FIVE COLLEGUES

The NYSC orientation camp, had been resettling 17, 678 Boko Haram
victims sacked from Damboa and Gwoza council areas.
Speaking IDPs’ remain in camps, Zannah said: “Regarding the displaced
persons, we are also surprised to see that when you are having over
200 people in Damboa; and you are having 400, 000 IDPs in Monguno; but
many displaced persons are still living in camps of Maiduguri.

“The Kampala Convention says that we cannot force an IDP to go back.
So, the Borno State Government and its humanitarian agency are
complying to convention on voluntary returns of people.
“Yesterday, I had also an opportunity of having a courtesy call on NPC
members. I asked them and NOA to go into the camps and sensitise the
IDPs to go back. For displaced persons to get rice in the camps is
better for them go back to their towns and village and pick-up lives.”

READ ALSO  WHO raises alarm over worldwide shortage of 900,000 midwives.

He continued: “The people of Damasak, Gambouru/Ngala, Mafa, Dikwa and
Monguno have voluntarily returned. Why should we be keeping 3, 000 or
4, 000 people in the camps? While other people; in Local Government
Areas are picking up their lives.”
He said the media and other sensitization agencies should assist
government; so that the remaining IDPs in camps are sensitized on
their return to liberated and secured communities.

spot_img

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

Ibiono Ibom Born APC Stalwart Based In USA Felicitates With His New Chapter Chairman

Ibiono Ibom Born APC Stalwart Based In USA Felicitates...

LAGOS TO COLLABORATE WITH META PLATFORM TO DEEPEN DIGITAL SPACE

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE...

KILLERS OF OUR OFFICERS IN DELTA STATE HAVE MURDERED SLEEP – POLICE BOSS

KILLERS OF OUR OFFICERS IN DELTA STATE HAVE MURDERED...