By Jutha Gupah Maiduguri
The Secretary General of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Jan Egeland has said that 1.6 million displaced persons in the North-East are not ready to return home, because of insecurity to lives and property.
Egeland disclosed this on Sunday in Maiduguri in a new report he released to journalists at the NRC office, off Damboa Road.
He said when 86 per cent or 1.55 million of IDPs show the NRC that they are not ready to go home; they should not be forced to return by government or agency.
The report titled: “Not Ready to Return,” also warned: “The findings of the report are indisputable. When 86 per cent of people tell us they aren’t ready to go home yet, we must listen. This cannot fall on deaf ears.”
Egeland said that the affected people must decide to return of their own free will, warning that; “Coercing communities to move home is a deadly recipe set to worsen the conflict that has claimed many lives and property.”
He said over 80 per cent of people who are unwilling to return home; in the immediate future attributed insecurity to continue stay put.
“Attacks against civilians are on the rise; and members of the communities feel scared,” said Egeland on IDPs’ fears to return home.
The Nigerian military has recently gained ground in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism.
In response, the armed group has stepped up attacks on soft targets, which include markets and sites sheltering displaced persons on the outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis and other liberated communities.
Egeland further warned: “While the end game is for communities to return home. The unfortunate truth is that pushing people back now; will have harmful consequences.”
On state of security of camps, the report said: “An overwhelming 85 per cent of people living in formal camps tell us they feel safer there than where they were before; despite the deplorable attacks on camps.”
He said even if the security situation improves, 50 per cent of the interviewed in the report say their houses were destroyed in the conflict; while 48 per cent of IDPs do not have information about the current state of their homes.
This indicated that the figure could be much higher. The report recommended that the overall security situation must improve, so that communities could feel safe. It said capital and human resources must be channeled into rebuilding homes and re-establishment of livelihoods.
“It is important that displaced communities are involved in developing these programmes,” recommended the report. Egeland also assured that; “We are ready to work with the government to help displaced Nigerians
return home. But movements must be voluntary, safe and informed.”
