Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur has said that Boko Haram has
torched 6,608 municipal buildings, health centres and classrooms
during decade long insurgency.
During the 11-year terrorism, about 59, 311 children and 59, 213
women, were also orphaned and widowed from various towns and villages.
Kadafur disclosed this Sunday in Maiduguri, while lamenting on the
devastations of insurgency to Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya
Sadiya Farouq to deliver 7,820 tons of food items for distribution.
He said Borno state has suffered a lot; because of the over a decade
long insurgency that also claimed many lives and property.
In a breakdown of destroyed health centres and other public buildings,
he said: “We’ve lost over 5,744 classrooms in tertiary institutions,
secondary and primary schools across the state.
“Over 664 municipal buildings were also destroyed; but they have been
rebuilt and we are still rebuilding some of them,” adding that 30% of
the housing stock in the state, was also torched by terrorists.
Continued; “We’ve also lost over 220 community health centres during
Boko Haram activities in 22 affected councils,” noting that it is not
a small task to rebuild these destroyed public building and
structures.
On returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to communities, he
said: “We’re not forcing the IDPs to return to their communities.
“They are desirous to go back to communities, so as to have a sense of
belonging with restored means of livelihoods,” stating that there are
1.2 million IDPs currently taking refuge in host communities of
Maiduguri and Jere council.
He said the federal and state governments are building houses for them
to return to communities.
Kadafur assured the Minister that government is to partner with other
INGOs to overcome the humanitarian crisis in the state.
According to him, the state government will also provide an enabling
environment for humanitarian partners reach the vulnerable with
life-saving assistance.
