Posted on 03 May 2024
In a concerning development from northeast Nigeria, the closure of all eight official displacement camps in Maiduguri has precipitated a new crisis. Over 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), who had sought refuge from the decade-long conflict, are now facing a dire situation. The camps’ shutdown has left them vulnerable to renewed violence and insecurity, with many having no choice but to consider fleeing once again. This unsettling turn of events follows a series of abductions by insurgents, targeting IDPs who ventured out in search of necessities like firewood. Reports indicate that at least 200 individuals were taken, and only a handful have managed to return. The region has seen a disturbing spike in violence, with January to March witnessing 176 attacks on civilians and 195 incidents of abduction, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
The story of Azza Babagana, who was displaced to the Galmeri camp at the tender age of four, encapsulates the harrowing experiences of many. Her family, along with others, was relocated to a resettlement site in Agiri, which bore a stark resemblance to the camps they had left behind. However, the illusion of safety was shattered when their new home came under attack. Azza and her brother were among the victims, suffering injuries from stray bullets. The aftermath of the attack saw them returning to Maiduguri, where Azza underwent treatment for a gunshot wound. The incident is a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by those displaced by conflict in Nigeria, as they endure what some are calling a ‘second displacement’.
Source: The New Humanitarian
Photo by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid via Flickr