Displaced families yearn to quit ‘pitiable’ camp life

The displacement crisis which hit Borno State for a decade is gradually nearing its end with the closure of temporary settlements for people displaced by insurgency in Maiduguri, the state capital.  Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes by insurgent fighters and seek refuge in makeshift homes in host communities including Maiduguri. […]

The displacement crisis which hit Borno State for a decade is gradually nearing its end with the closure of temporary settlements for people displaced by insurgency in Maiduguri, the state capital. 

Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes by insurgent fighters and seek refuge in makeshift homes in host communities including Maiduguri. These displaced families rely on aid supplies from government, donor partners and pressure groups which are irregular. 

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Relations and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau,  said in a statement after a  visit by  Governor Babagana Zulum to the displaced families in Bakassi camp, Maiduguri, on Friday,  that there were more pregnancies including unintended ones at the camp.   

He said the state government has resolved to shut down displaced persons camps and give financial support to the occupants to return to safer and rehabilitated areas and settle down.   

He said displaced persons at Bakassi camp who are willing to start a second life outside the camp, especially in their liberated and rehabilitated local communities, were given money and food supplies during the governor’s unscheduled visit on Friday.  

Married men received N100, 000 each, two bags (25kg each) of rice, a carton of spaghetti or macaroni, and a gallon (5 liters) of cooking oil while their spouses got N50, 000 each. Also, widows mostly heading a household received N100, 000. 

Kanem Trust reports that though the government’s decision to close the camp is said to have caused anxiety for more than 5,000 displaced persons, most of them expressed their readiness  to quit life in the camp with “limited economic and social opportunities’’. 

Chairman of the displaced people from Monguno LGA in Bakassi camp, Alhaji Abatcha Baichu, said the financial assistance from the state will certainly help many families to return home and engage in agriculture and trade.   

“I will return to Monguno with my family before the ultimatum lapses. Many of us regretted our decision not to return home previously because those who returned last year have grown and harvested enough food crops and are not complaining of hunger. Life in this informal settlement is full of shortcomings. We are grateful to the governor for the financial assistance and the food given to us,” he said. 

Another displaced man from Monguno said in a beaming smile that he will get back into fishing in Lake Chad since relative calm has returned to the area. 

“The only bad news I hear is that insurgents are collecting taxes from the fisherman but that will not frighten me,” he said.