Those sent packing from their homes by insurgents face multiple problems in internally displaced camps.
But one of the problems, hunger, is being tackled by the government in an unusual manner. Assistant Editor (North), CHUKS EHIRIM, reports.
More than half the North East has been devastated by Boko Haram insurgents in the past three years.
The zone accounts for over 95 per cent of more than 10,000 Nigerians slain by the jihadists since their campaign turned ferocious in 2009.
At a point, Boko Haram was in firm control of 14 of Nigeria’s 774 council areas. In each area they occupied, they sacked legitimate governments and installed their own illegitimate regimes, including religious and traditional heads.
Most survivors of the onslaughts flee their homes to become refugees in their own country, or what is commonly referred to as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), scattered across many states, including Edo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Food in short supply
Even in the IDP camps, the victims do not sleep with both eyes closed as the ravaging insurgents occasionally strike and send many to their early deaths.
IDPs also face severe hunger because food at their disposal pale into insignificance compared with the large numbers being fed daily.
However, a presidential order to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to distribute confiscated food items stored in warehouses across the country to IDPs has started yielding fruit.
Materials donated
A committee set up by NSC Comptroller General, Hamid Ali, to collect and donate the relief materials flagged off its assignment in Yola.
It moved to Benin City and donated
• 1,897 (50kg) bags of rice
• 211 (25kg) bags of rice
• 340 cartons of vegetable oil
• Eight jerry cans of 20 litres of vegetable oil
• 33 jerry cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil
• 4,820 cartons and 32 tablets of Eva and Savon soap
• 100 cartons of slippers
• 16 sacks of school bags
• 156 bales of cloth
The materials were donated to the IDP camp at the International Christian Centre, Uhogua village, Benin City – handed over to the Camp Director, Solomon Folurunsho, in the presence of the wife of Edo State Governor, Iara Oshiomhole.
Safe corridors for trading, farming
Ali, who had earlier walked around the large premises housing the IDPs who are mainly from the North East, said the plan is to give succour to the victims of Boko Haram.
His words: “It gives me great pleasure to be here, joining all our well-meaning stakeholders who are united in one mission.
“Our common objective is working together to bring succour to millions of Nigerians who have been displaced, traumatised and separated from their loved ones.
“Working with partner government agencies, the Nigeria Customs Service is executing a Presidential mandate to alleviate the plight of our internally displaced brothers and sisters.
“The scope of our intervention involves transferring relief items that have been seized and forfeited to the federal government, through appropriate legal processes, to the IDP camps.
“Today’s event is the second in the series of donations to be made in the first phase. We have flagged off the exercise in Adamawa State and reached out to four IDP camps, namely: Damare, St. Theresa, Fufore, and Melkohi.”
Ali disclosed that the committee is conscious of government’s efforts to guarantee safe corridors for trading, farming and other economic activities without hindrance.
In his view, rebuilding the North East “will therefore require a strong collaboration of all Nigerians, united in the belief that an injury to one or some of us, represents an injury to all.”
Support from other agencies
He expressed gratitude to the chief of army staff, chief of air staff, inspector general of police, commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), director general of the National Agency for Food and Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for their “unconditional support” since the exercise started.
“We have also received tremendous support from the Red Cross and the media. We appreciate you all.”
Oshiomhole said: “I am, on behalf of the Edo State Government, thanking the management of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Presidency for their support to the IDPs in Edo State.”
Folorunsho thanked the Customs, describing the gesture as “a source of joy to the people in the camp. But like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more of this in future.”
The entire Uhogua village went into celebration, with people lining up the dusty road leading to the camp to welcome Ali and his entourage. Momentary happiness returned to the campers, who organised cultural dances to herald the event.
85% of campers children
Over 85 per cent of the campers are young boys and girls, most of whom have lost their parents and may not know where they hail from.
There are many nursing mothers and pregnant women as well as volunteer workers, including German nationals, who are assisting Folurunsho in the humanitarian work.
TheNiche learnt that the campers consume as much as 10 bags (50 kg) of rice a day.
