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Tag: IDPs

  • Borno to resettle 5,000 IDPs

    Borno to resettle 5,000 IDPs

    The Borno State Government plans to resettle no fewer than 5,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from five Bama communities before the end of the rainy season.

    Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum made this known on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi.

    The communities targeted for resettlement are Goniri, Bula Kuriye, Mayanti, Abbaram and Darajamal.

    Zulum said 1,000 transitional shelters are being built in each community, with construction already completed in Darajamal.

    “We are committed to returning IDPs to their ancestral homes. Work is ongoing in Mayanti, Goniri, Bula Kuriye and Abbaram.

    “Darajamal has been completed. Trenches are being dug around these communities to enhance security,” he said.

    Zulum stressed the importance of farming and said resettlement must happen before the rains end, to allow returnees begin this year’s cropping season.

    “Farming remains our greatest treasure. I’ll liaise with the Commanding Officer and Civilian JTF to reinforce community security,” he said.

    The governor confirmed that security had been strengthened in Nguro Soye, a farming community on Bama’s outskirts.

    “On my return from Gwoza, I stopped at Banki Junction to discuss plans for intensified operations in Nguro Soye and nearby areas.

    “We’ve supported the military and Civilian JTF with logistics and pledged six months’ allowances for volunteer patrols,” Zulum added.

    In his response, the Shehu of Bama, Dr El-Kanemi, praised the governor’s efforts towards resettling displaced persons and supporting local farmers.

    “I thank His Excellency for returning the people of Darajamal and working to resettle others. We are truly grateful,” the traditional ruler said.

    He appealed for additional support to the Civilian-JTF to secure farmlands and ensure farmers’ safety during the season.

  • Benue moves to domesticate national IDPs policy

    Benue moves to domesticate national IDPs policy

    The Benue State Government on Thursday commenced the process for the domestication of the national policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    The State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, stated this at the 2-day “Agenda for Benue State IDP Policy Document Validation Meeting” in Makurdi.

    The national policy on IDPs provides a framework for preventing and addressing internal displacement, offering protection and assistance during displacement.

    The policy also made provisions for durable solutions like return, reintegration, or resettlement and outlines the responsibilities of all actors in safeguarding the rights and needs of IDPs.

    Kunde, while calling for more inputs to fine-tune the IDP’s policy document, explained that each state has her peculiar humanitarian challenges.

    He explained that for the state to effectively handle the huge humanitarian crises, it must domesticate the national IDPs policy.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of Benue House of Assembly Committee on Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Mr Abu Umoro, said the house would pass the document when presented before it.

    Umoro said the issue of IDPs was a serious concern for everyone and must be given accelerated consideration at any time.

    Also Mr Peter Uche, member representing Guma I State Constituency, regretted that his constituency was the worst affected in the state.

    He said the majority of his people have stayed in the camps for over 10 years. He further appealed that the document should accommodate all categories of persons and their peculiar challenges.

    Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Murjanatu Kabir, Advocacy Campaign and Policy Manager, Save the Children International, said the document would address key challenges in the IDP camps.

    Kabir said the document, when passed, would serve as a guiding tool on issues affecting IDPs in the state and the overall humanitarian crisis management.

    The Director-General of Sustainable Development Goals, Mr John Akuse, said the validation of the IDP policy document was a vital process for the displaced population to be adequately cared for, especially regarding their peculiar needs.

  • 64th Anniversary: Speaker Abbas to celebrate independence with IDPs, interact with students

    64th Anniversary: Speaker Abbas to celebrate independence with IDPs, interact with students

    …tasks Nigerians to be more patriotic, united

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, will on Tuesday celebrate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary with some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Speaker Abbas is expected to spend some time with the IDPs at their camp in Abuja, during which he will extend assistance to them.

    On the same day, the Speaker will also hold an interactive session with students of some public secondary schools in the six Area Councils of the FCT at the National Assembly. The event will be aired live on Rhythm FM.

    Meanwhile, the Speaker has congratulated fellow citizens as they celebrate the independence anniversary.

    Speaker Abbas, who also clocks 59 on October 1, 2024, said Nigeria has many achievements to celebrate since independence, adding that he is optimistic that the country’s future is brighter.

    He, therefore, urged Nigerians to be more patriotic and pray for their country and their leaders to overcome the current security and socio-economic challenges.

    Speaker Abbas also enjoined the citizens to be united and continue to serve their fatherland with passion and dedication.

    He further enjoined the citizenry to be law-abiding and be their brother’s keeper as the nation goes through tough times.

    The Speaker also called for support for the governments at all levels, stating that only a collective effort by the government and the governed can ensure growth and development.

    Speaker Abbas wished Nigerians happy independence celebrations.

  • FG to build 200 houses for IDPs in Benue

    FG to build 200 houses for IDPs in Benue

    Benue Government says the Federal Government is building 200 low-cost houses for internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.

    Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Makurdi.

    Mr Kunde said that the 200 low-cost houses would be built in clusters across the eight most-devastated local government areas of the state.

    He said the state government had carried out extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, especially the traditional council, religious leaders and displaced persons, amongst others before arriving at the decision.

    The commissioner said that the IDPs had agreed to return to the cluster houses that would be built, adding that schools, hospitals and other social amenities would also be provided for them.

    He said that the state government would support the federal government by providing land, labour and other things needed within the areas for the success of the project.

    He further stated that the locals in the affected communities would build the houses themselves, while the federal government would provide the funds and supervision.

    According to him, the IDPs are already in the process of clearing the area at Tatyoo, Mbagwen, Makurdi Local Government Area, for the construction of the houses in the area, adding that they would be paid for the job.

    “I was asked to clear the area within 24 hours for the construction of the first phase of cluster resettlement homes in Tatyo, Mbagwen and at the Ichwa IDPs camp. The minister added another 20 houses, making it 40 homes in the first phase.

    “Altogether, the federal government is building 200 houses for the IDPs in Benue State.

    “The traditional rulers have allocated lands in the eight affected LGs for this project. The Tiv Traditional Council has also approved cluster settlements.

    “In the nearest future, with our scattered ways of settlements, we may not have land for farming anymore, but with cluster settlements, we will continue to have adequate land for our farming activities,” he said.

    Kunde commended the federal government for declaring a state of emergency on the humanitarian crises in the state, adding that the situation has gone beyond what the state could handle.

    He expressed the regret that before the assumption of office of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, the state had no humanitarian history.

    The commissioner said that at the moment, that there were 21 camps for IDPs in six council areas, adding that the people of Kwande and Agatu had, over time, refused to stay in camps, but with people across the state.

    On palliatives, he said that the state government was putting everything together to ensure appropriate and efficient distribution of the palliatives to the people in the next two weeks.

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, had, on Thursday, flagged off the construction of the resettlement homes for IDPs in the state.

    Edu had also requested development partners, donor agencies and humanitarian partners to immediately deploy and intervene in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state.

    She said that the order had become imperative, following the magnitude of the sufferings being faced by IDPs in the state.

    The minister said that the federal government would officially write the development partners, donor agencies and other humanitarian partners within and outside the country on the need for their immediate intervention in humanitarian crisis in the state.

  • Fuel subsidy removal: IDPs beg for FG’s palliatives in Nasarawa

    Fuel subsidy removal: IDPs beg for FG’s palliatives in Nasarawa

    Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have appealed to the government to include them among beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s palliatives on fuel subsidy removal.

    The appeal is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lafia by Mr Dannis Utsa, Chairman, United Farmers Association of Kadarko community of the council area.

    Utsa, also a displaced person, stated that IDPs were already vulnerable and the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy had worsened their situation.

    He added that farmers from Ayua, Upuur, Ngur, Kpelev, Bature, Antsa, Kwara, Adootu communities in Keana council area had been living in an IDP camp since the villages were attacked and destroyed.

    He appealed to the government to beef up security in the communities, rebuild their destroyed houses, provide basic amenities and return them to their homes to enable farmers to take care of their families.

    Utsa noted that the IDP camp in Kadarko had been taken over by the Federal Road Safety Corps and appealed that it be reverted to a temporary shelter pending the rebuilding of IDPs’ destroyed communities.

  • NASENI, German firm launch and distribute 3000 units of save 80 cooking stoves to women, IDPs and widows

    NASENI, German firm launch and distribute 3000 units of save 80 cooking stoves to women, IDPs and widows

    In order to save the environment from continuous degradation, unabated deforestation and to
    reduce harmful emissions in the country, the National Agency for Science and Engineering
    Infrastructure (NASENI) in collaboration with Atmosfair, Germany today launched and
    distributed 3,000 units of NASENI-Atmosfair Save 80 Energy Efficient Stove to Nigerian
    women, Widows, IDPS across the six-geopolitical zones.

    Speaking at the unveiling and distribution of Save 80 Efficient Stove at the NASENI
    Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Engr. Prof.
    Mohammed Sani Haruna said with the consideration of the Nigeria’s Nationally Determined
    Contribution (NDC) targets for emission reduction by 2030, the use of energy-efficient cooking
    stoves provide high potential for emission reduction and mitigating the climate change.

    According to Prof. Haruna, there is over forty percent (40%) saving in cooking time and
    environmentally friendly compared to firewood and charcoal fuelling methods, with increasing
    energy efficiency, adding that with the launch of Save 80 Energy Efficient Cooking Stove,
    Nigeria will achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal No.7 on Energy access
    to affordable, reliable, sustainable and Clean Energy for All.

    He said: “NASENI in collaboration with Atmosfair Launch the Energy Efficient Stove today and
    will distribute 3000 units as donation to deserving women, IDPS and widows across the six-
    geopolitical zones. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will improve the Agency’s eco-
    friendliness and carbon footprint, a positive contribution to climate change and service to
    humanity”, he stated.

    Engr. Prof. Haruna noted that the Agency has intervened in several sectors of Nigerian Economy
    and has domesticated several technologies which beforehand were considered impossible in the
    country, adding that NASENI hitherto had made several efforts in renewable energy
    technologies including biomass, wind energy and Solar Module Manufacturing plant at Karshi,
    Abuja.

    “Our progress in the production of solar cell locally will drastically reduce the per megawatt cost
    of clean electricity and making solar electricity available at more affordable rate to the average
    citizens. The local solar cells development will promote affordability of solar energy as the
    prices will crash and increase proportion of solar electricity in our energy mix” he said.

    On how the stove will be distributed, Prof. Haruna explained that some of the stoves will be
    handed over to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social

    Development for onward distribution to IDPs and those that have been affected by recent
    flooding in the country.

    “Let me add that the production of these stoves is also a viable, self-sustaining and revenue
    generating venture, which will create thousands of employments, we are duplicating
    manufacturing facility for both the stove and the Brickets (Fuel of stove) which is from Agric
    waste. The product will be manufactured simultaneously in Kano and Agada village of Karu
    Local Government Area of Nasarawa State”, he affirmed.

    In his address, Dr. Dietrich Brockhagen, the Managing Director, Atmosfair, Germany said the
    NDC of Nigeria to Paris Agreement sets out an ambitious target: 7 point 3 million efficient
    cooking stoves envisaged to be in use in Nigeria households by 2030.

    Explaining the efficiency and powerful remedy of the Save 80 cooking stove, he said the name
    says it all, “they save 80% fuel wood; more so, they come with a wonder box, a heat containing
    device. So, if you cook rice or beans, efficiency can go up to 90%. And together with NASENI
    we want to go all the way to 100% fuel wood saving.”

    He said instead of firewood, use briquettes made from crop residues, stating that this 100%
    saving machine, spread out in great numbers could effectively bring deforestation in Nigeria to a
    halt.

    “NASENI is in our partnership with the NAGGW, we will identify pilot villages and small
    towns, in order to test briquetting machines and their use in communities, and make sure that it
    works in practice” he added.

  • 2023: Gov. Ortom wants INEC to make adequate provisions for Benue IDPs

    2023: Gov. Ortom wants INEC to make adequate provisions for Benue IDPs

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make adequate provisions for the over two million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state ahead of 2023 general elections.

    He made the call at a roundtable discussion, tagged; “Contemporary Security Challenges and their Effects on 2023 General Elections”, organised by the Platinum Post Newspaper on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The governor, represented by Prof. Magdalene Dura, his Special Adviser on Millenium Development Goals, said INEC should create polling units at IDPs’ camps and also engage its members as ad-hoc staff during elections.

    This, he said, would ensure credibility of the elections at such centres while giving them a sense of belonging.

    He also stressed the need for the Federal Government to ensure more security at the country’s borders, saying that the porous nature at the various borders had led to the infiltration of criminal elements into the country.

    The Benue Governor alleged that Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are already in wrong hands ahead of the 2023 general elections, saying there is the need for INEC to raise its game.

    “There is need for government and INEC to ensure credibility of the electoral process,” he said.

    He also expressed concern over the fate of over two million IDPs in his state whom, he said, had been rendered homeless as a result of insurgency.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to come to the assistance of IDPs in Benue as it is doing to other IDPs in other parts of the country.

    “There is lack of equity and justice in Nigeria. INEC needs to have comprehensive data on the IDPs so that they can create polling units for IDPs,” he said.

    He added that since the possibility of IDPs returning to their homes to vote before the elections is slim, INEC must open discussions with them to know what they need.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, who chaired the occasion, stressed the need to ensure the safety and security of voters, election personnel, materials, candidates, party agents, observers and media practitioners during the electioneering process.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Usman Mohammed, Gov. Ganduje called on the electorate to eschew acts of violence and other negative tendencies that could mar the conduct of 2023 general elections.

    “The importance of the topic in relation to the nation’s current security situation in the face of an election cannot be over emphasised.

    “And more so, my state, Kano, is among states in the federation, and particularly in the North that have had one security challenge or the other, which we have, with the will of God Almighty, been able to surmount.

    “Kano is now one of the most peaceful states in the federation. Insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

    “Ensuring the safety and security of voters, election personnel, materials, candidates, party agents, observers, the media and transporters among others is paramount,” Ganduje stressed.

    He added that the responsibility had become more challenging in the context of the current asymmetric security situation in the country.

    Ganduje said with few months to 2023 general elections, there was no better time for proactive measures than now to ensure that the country was secured enough for elections to be held across the nooks and crannies.

    “However, despite the severity of the security challenges facing 2023 polls, I believe that the relevant security agencies have the potency to ensure that the process is made peaceful and secured by synergising effectively.

    He advised that security agencies should, however, review their operational strategies and optimally deploy all operational assets towards addressing current and evolving general security threats ahead of the elections.

    Mr Edwin Olofu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Platinum Post, in his opening remarks, said the theme of the roundtable: “Contemporary Security Challenges And Their Effects On The 2023 General Elections”, is not only timely but very important.

    This, he said, was considering the fact that there was a relationship between security and the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

    “Going by the campaigns and debates on issues relating to the governance of the country by candidates of the leading political parties.

    “There is no doubt that the election is potentially going to be the most keenly contested in Nigeria’s political history.

    “As members of the fourth estate of the realm, it is incumbent on us to mobilise the citizenry to prove the naysayers who are already instilling fears in the minds of the electorate that the election could be marred due to the spate of violent crimes in parts of the country,” he said.

    He explained that the objective of the roundtable was to find answers to some nagging questions posed by the current security situation in the country.

    Olofu said the roundtable was also to mobilise the electorate to exercise their franchise without fear or hindrance.

    Commissioner of Police, Mr Kene Onwuemelie, who represented the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the event, assured that the forthcoming general elections would hold in all parts of the country without rancor.

    “All arrangements have been put in place to ensure violent-free elections. We are using this opportunity to warn trouble makers to have a change of mind, as the hands of the law will not spare them,” he said.

    He added that the police would work with other security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property before, during and after the elections.

    Newsmen reports that the roundtable highlighted the need for government to sensitise the public on the power of voting, and the need to eschew violent conduct, before, during, and after the polls through effective media campaigns.

    The event was attended by representatives of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Civil Society Organisations and the International Republican Institute (IRI) among others.

  • Insecurity: Bagudu advises IDPs to remain in camp

    Insecurity: Bagudu advises IDPs to remain in camp

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has urged Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mahuta and Isgogo of Fakai and Zuru Local Government Areas to remain in the camps until the security situation has improved.

    Bagudu made the call while on a sympathy visit to the IDPs camps in Government Day Secondary School, Mahuta and Model Primary School, Isgogo, in Zuru Emirate on Friday.

    He sympathised with the victims of the banditry attack and condoled the families that lost their loved ones during the incident.

    “I am here to see you with important personalities and local government officials to sympathise with you.

    ” Take heart and bear with the situation as it is destined by the Almighty God,” he said.

    Bagudu said he had already directed for relief assistance and more security measures to be taken in all the affected areas.

    “You will be assisted by the government, you remain here until it is safe for you to go back. We are taking more measures to safeguard your lives and properties,” Bagudu said.

    He prayed to God to protect them and give them the fortitude to overcome their predicaments.

    The governor, however, warned of the dangers of spreading rumours and false information amongst people, which he said could further instill fear in the minds of people.

    Bagudu also visited the Palace of Chiefdom of Mahuta, Alhaji Muhammad Hudu, where he also commiserated with the community leader and held a meeting with LG Chairmen , Councilors and other stakeholders of the area to discuss on the prevailing situation and the need for synergy and cooperation.

    The governor was accompanied by Sen. Bala Ibn-Na’Allah, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Sen. Muhammadu Magoro and the Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba-Bena.

  • Security: Buhari has invested much in security, welfare of IDPs – Bagudu

    Security: Buhari has invested much in security, welfare of IDPs – Bagudu

    The Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu says President Muhammadu Buhari has made tremendous investments in security and welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country.
    Bagudu stated this on Sunday in Ribah, Danko Wasagu Local Government at the the distribution of relief materials to IDPs by the National Commission of Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP).
    He said that the Federal Government was recruiting more security personnel, while modern equipment, arms and ammunition were provided to the security agencies.
    “The security challenges we are facing are not peculiar to our country or the state alone.
    “I urge the people in the state, especially in the insecurity affected areas to be resilient, patient and continue to be your brothers’ keepers.
    “The people of our state will not be cowed down by a few unscrupulous elements who are bent on tormenting the law abiding citizens of the country.
    “Kebbi state is not doing badly in terms of the prevailing security challenges as peace is gradually returning to areas affected by banditry in Zuru Emirate,” he said.
    Bagudu acknowledged the courage of farmers in the state, adding that bumper harvests were being recorded in the state.
    “Our farmers are resilient and continue their cultivation, the situation did not deter them,” the governor said.
    Earlier, the Federal Commissioner of NCRMIDP, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman, said that the relief materials were provided to the IDPs to alleviate their suffering.
    She lauded Bagudu for according top priority to the welfare of the people of the state.
    Suleiman said, “a medical outreach would be conducted in the camp to check the health status of the IDPs.”
    Also speaking, the Chairman of Danko/Wasagu LGA, Alhaji Hussaini Bena, lauded to the Federal Government for providing the relief assistance to the IDPs in the area.
    “Such an assistance will go along way in reducing the hardship being faced by the IDPs in the camp,” he said.
    In his remarks, the Chief of Wasagu, Alhaji Musa Mukhtar, pleaded with the government to mobilize more personnel to the area in order to provide adequate security for the IDPs to return to their homes .
    “Our people are hardworking and resilient, what they need is not relief assistance, but security to go back home and cultivate their farms.
    “Give them security and they will feed the entire state and beyond, because they are real farmers.
    “Most of the refugees you see here are from the neighboring states displaced by the activities of bandits in their states,” he said.
    Mukhtar appreciated the myriad of intervention and assistance from the state government to the people of the area since the security crises started

  • Starvation hits IDPs camp in Katsina

    The Chairman of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Jibia Camp, Katsina State, Malam Salisu Sa’adu, says the victims are suffering from hunger, starvation and death in the camp.

    Salisu, who disclosed this in an interview in Jibia on Tuesday, said the IDPs, camped in Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Jibia, were mainly from Kwari, Zango, shimfida, Tsauni, far faru, tsanbe, and Gurbin magarya villages of Jibia Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, the food that is provided to the refugees is not enough, hence, they are suffering from starvation, hunger and death.

    He said there was not enough food for them, stressing that there were only two policemen guarding the camp.

    “Most of us (IDPs) are sleeping without mosquito nets and blankets, but we thank a non-governmental organisation, Medicines San Frontier, Doctors without borders that supplied drugs to us always at the camp.

    ” In fact, let me tell you, in view of the hardship we are passing through,15 of us died, while 35 women gave birth under forced labour.”

    Salisu appealed to the state government to take steps to relocate them to their villages, to enable them to farm, and get what to feed their families before the end of the rainy season.

    “We are now almost three months here, we can’t continue like this; we really want to go back to our villages and look for what to eat with our families.

    “So we are appealing to government to take cogent measures and relocate us to our places,” he said.

    When contacted, the Chairman of Jibia Local Government, Alhaji Bashir Mai-tan, said that the government was trying its best in feeding the refugees in the camp.

    Mai-tan said apart from that, the local government released N200,000 daily for some of their needs.

    Maitan said he had been having sleepless nights to ensure peace and security in the area, as well as paying ransom to secure the release of people from bandits.

    He said that currently, over 1,500 of his people were still in bandits hostage, advising that government alone could not fight banditry.

    During a visit to the camp, it was observed that some of the IDPs looked worried, hungry and in tears.