THE GROWING CHALLENGE OF IDPS
The authorities must do more to cushion the hardship in the camps In almost two decades, repeated attacks and violence have forced out entire communities, uprooted families from ancestral homes
Authorities are urged to alleviate the suffering in camps housing displaced Nigerians. Over two decades of attacks and violence have displaced entire communities, uprooted families from their homes, and devastated their means of earning a living. Millions of Nigerians now live in camps lacking homes, schooling, and hope, primarily due to insecurity, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and communal violence. Women and children comprise the majority of displaced individuals, facing heightened risks.
As of last week, the federal government reported that 3.7 million Nigerians reside in various camps and host communities, slightly less than the combined population of Namibia and Botswana. The northeast, especially, bears the brunt of displaced persons, with Borno state, the hub of Boko Haram insurgency, hosting a significant number. Across the northeast, 2.2 million people are displaced, followed by 720,000 in the northwest and 605,000 in the northcentral due to banditry and farmer-herder conflicts.
Borno's capital, Maiduguri, had closed all official camps, yet over 200 camps still exist, hosting hundreds of thousands of IDPs. In Gwoza local government, a temporary camp was opened after an attack on the Madinnatu camp in Jere local government. Zamfara State, a hotspot for banditry, houses about 276,887 displaced persons in nine camps, largely due to armed banditry. Reports claim that 107 villages were overrun by bandits between 2009 and 2026, forcing thousands to flee to Gusau.
Benue, plagued by farmer-herder clashes, is home to over 500,000 IDPs, running 14 recognized camps. Transitioning from temporary relief to a durable solutions framework, the state focuses on voluntary return, resettlement, and reintegration. Taraba State, also affected by farmer-herder conflicts, shelters about 90,000 IDPs in Peva and Kufai Ahmadu in Chanchanji Ward of Takum LGA. Some IDPs have crossed into Benue State due to unsafe conditions in neighboring communities.
Plateau state, facing persistent attacks, has displaced thousands. Communities in Mangu, Wase, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South suffer from attacks, yet many displaced residents live with relatives, preserving social ties despite challenges. However, IDPs face severe socio-economic, health, and environmental issues, often lacking access to clean water and other essential services. Women and girls also endure sexual exploitation.
The Nigerian Bar Association's 1st Vice President and Human Rights Institute Chairman, Sabastine Anyia, emphasizes that displaced individuals in camps live in conditions that "represent flagrant violations of basic human rights." Ending the brutal war is crucial to restore the displaced people's dignity.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
