Post-insurgency challenges in the North-East (II)

The Madagali and Little Gombi areas in Adamawa State also deserve to be monitored closely. In addition, sleeper cells in states such as Gombe, Bauchi, Kano and Jigawa should be focus of intense intelligence exploitation. Also critical, as the security forces close in on the Sambisa Forest with a view to secure the release of […]

The Madagali and Little Gombi areas in Adamawa State also deserve to be monitored closely. In addition, sleeper cells in states such as Gombe, Bauchi, Kano and Jigawa should be focus of intense intelligence exploitation. Also critical, as the security forces close in on the Sambisa Forest with a view to secure the release of the Chibok girls, is the taking over of the remaining strongholds of Boko Haram at the borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroun. Available intelligence shows that the insurgency in the North-East can only be completely brought to a halt if the fighting forces have appropriate technical capabilities and platforms. Aerial surveillance and attacks capabilities for the Air Force and advance communication monitoring capabilities for the Intelligence Service are necessary. Provision should also be made to fortify troop carriers for the army, as civilian pick-up vehicles are inappropriate.
The humanitarian crisis thrown up by the insurgency in the North East is tremendous. Some informed stakeholders and authorities, as well as studies, estimate that about forty percent (40%) of the areas taken over by insurgents before being liberated have been destroyed. The resultant massive displacement of victims especially in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa is therefore a major challenge. It is important to note that, farming and related activities by people in the affected communities have been disrupted for the last four years. Schools in the last two and half years have also remained closed. Semblance of governance in almost all affected Local Government areas have simply disappeared.
Equally unimaginable is, the number of people displaced. The number of displaced persons is conservatively put at over one and half million. Currently, there is no authoritative figure on these categories of victims simply because the required data collection has not been undertaken by concerned authorities at all levels. Ironically, even data on persons killed, homes and places of worship and institutions of learning destroyed is not readily available. It is worthy of note that, it is the absence of such information that has resulted in the underestimating of the scope and impact of the insurgency in the North East. The absence of such information is also affecting the rehabilitation efforts especially capturing of some communities in the provision of relief material to the communities. It is believed that there can be no proper and comprehensive addressing of the plight of the victims of the insurgency in the North East without such documentation.
The humanitarian crisis in the North-East although under reported have elicited support from many groups and individuals. Very prominent among such people and organizations are, Hajiya Aishatu Buhari, the President’s wife, Gen. TY Danjuma and Aliko Dangote. Some banks and corporate organizations have similarly made contributions that have helped. Some Non-Government Organizations also deserve being acknowledged. Both houses of the National Assembly have also made efforts to ensure the plight of the people of the North East is addressed. It is the prayer of the victims of the insurgency that these efforts will come to fruition. The contribution of some state Governments especially in hosting the Internally Displaced Persons also need to be appreciated. Prominent among such states are Edo, Kano and FCT. Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states are also believed to be hosting thousands. Appropriate camps in these states should not be forgotten while dealing with displaced people from the North-East.
The post insurgency challenges in the North-east are definitely enormous. What cannot be disputed is, the fact that the challenges are beyond the ability of state governments. State governments, especially those of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are today committing much resources to cater for the IDPs and rebuilding of some destroyed essential facilities. This of course is at expense of other pressing needs. There are fears that these states unless helped may not make any meaningful impact in infrastructural development, job creation and education. This singular fact underscores the need to expedite action on passing the Bill on the North-East Development Commission.
There have also been calls for the review and re-evaluation of the activities of the Presidential Initiative on the North-East and the Victim Support Fund to ensure all communities impacted are covered and projects that are of immediate and lasting benefits to the people are those embarked upon. From our studies, the immediate needs of the insurgency impacted communities are, provision of security to forestall further attacks, rebuilding of destroyed homes, schools, hospitals and places of worship. The provision of relief material for the victims is  the most immediate requirement. The condition of living in the camps requires intervention to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. Hunger, disease and inhabitable conditions are the lot of the IDPs at the moment. We believe the attention of the international community needs to be drawn to the plight of the victims. This is precisely what the president has done during his last outing at the United Nations. Affected state governments need to take a cue.
Addressing the humanitarian challenges in the North East also requires a change in approach. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should include catering for all affected communities, as there are reports that some communities are yet to receive any assistance. Measures should be taken to check sharp practices in the distribution of relief materials even in the displaced people’s camps. A holistic approach in dealing with post-insurgency challenges in the North-East requires a well-structured approach. Provision of reasonable level of security in communities in the North-East cannot be underestimated. The rehabilitation and rebuilding of the security posts destroyed by the insurgents is one measure that could encourage the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their villages and towns.
There are reports that, about thirty to forty (30%-40%) of security posts and installations belonging to Nigeria Police, State Security, Nigeria Immigration Service were destroyed by the insurgents between 2012 and 2014. Some Army Barracks and offices are also known to have suffered the same fate. There is a need to rebuild, to allow affected organisations immediately redeploy to provide security, relieving soldiers for more important assignments.
By estimation, it will take between five to ten years with good effort to recover to pre-insurgency level and about three years for reasonable level of security to be re established in affected communities. Similarly, it is believed that the rebuilding of the destroyed communities and property will take not less than five years if supported with good funding and judicious use of the resources made available. The rebuilding of schools, hospitals and related infrastructure is estimated to take about two and half years. Studies also show that the return of IDPs is dependent on the rebuilding of the homes in areas violently impacted. The disruption of farming also underscores the need for massive relief intervention.
The present government faces daunting challenges especially given the unprecedented drop in revenue earnings from oil and the equally serious challenges of militancy in the Niger Delta, but it has done exceptionally well in degrading the insurgency in the North-East. The president and the government needs to be commended and supported in restoring security, peace and development.
(Concluded)
Gadzama, a former Director-General of the SSS, wrote from Abuja.