Resettled IDPs in Borno lament hardship in ancestral homes
Story from Usman UMAR
Numerous Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who were relocated from Maiduguri to their ancestral homes in new Marte in Marte local government area of Borno State more than a year ago, have conveyed dissatisfaction with their current living conditions in the makeshift camp provided by the state government.
The individuals displaced by years of insurgency lamented that they are experiencing hardship and undernourishment, making their lives very difficult.
They are also anxious due to the presence of Boko Haram militants not far from where they reside.
One of the returnees, Babagana Umaru Kura, who resides with his two spouses and three children in a makeshift shelter in one of the camps set up for resettled individuals, revealed that the lack of access to food is the main cause of the hunger and malnutrition affecting numerous children in the camp.
Initially, the meager government assistance sustained them, but once they ran out of supplies, attempts to cultivate their land for sustenance were disrupted by frequent visits from elephants that destroyed their crops.
Additionally, he said efforts to gather firewood and charcoal for sale to buy food were hampered by the constant attacks on their community by militants in the surrounding forests.
“Our primary challenge here is the scarcity of food and water. The restricted movement imposed by the military due to the presence of Boko Haram is also affecting our ability to engage in business activities to support our families.
“We are only allowed to travel to the neighbouring local government area of Dikwa twice a week to work and earn money,” Kura explained.
Hajia Jidda, a 40-year-old mother of ten children, including a malnourished infant, echoed similar sentiments about the dire hunger and scarcity they face since relocating from Gubio camp in Maiduguri to the camp in their home village.
The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement, Engineer Ali Goni Lawan, assured that the state government is attentive to the challenges faced by the New Marte IDPs.
He emphasized the ongoing security concerns and the need for military escorts for safe movement, as well as the importance of enabling the community to engage in economic activities to survive.
He said Governor Zulum is working in collaboration with the Nigerian military to create a conducive environment for the residents to conduct business and farm for their livelihoods.
