Borno closes four more IDP camps

The Borno government says it has closed down four camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and resettled 11,000 households in six communities.

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, had announced in October 2021 that all IDP camps located within Maiduguri, the state capital, would be shut down by December 2021, while resettlement efforts would continue for IDPs in other parts of the state.

Speaking on Thursday at an event signifying the closure of the camps, Zulum listed the IDP camps as Dalori 1, Dalori 2, Gubio road and Muna el-Badawi.

He said the households were displaced in 2015 by insurgents at Marte, Baga, Banki, Warabe, Kerenoa, Wulgo and Ngurosoye, adding that the closure of camps was done for reasons, including paucity of funds.

He also said arrangements had reached advanced stage to close four more camps to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons in six communities by 2023.

On her part, Nana Tanko, executive director, Victim Support Fund (VSF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), said about N1.6 billion has been earmarked to support the resettlement of more than 60,000 IDPs.

“We have not only supported the IDPs with resources to move back to their local government headquarters, but with some money to be used in starting something that will bring income to them,” she said.

“The N1.6 billion is in two components and 50 percent equal. The grant to the returnees is about N800 million, while the balance will be used to purchase food and non-food items.

“In line with VSF support for local economy, all the food items we bought was done by contractors based in Borno.”

Tanko said IDPs were not forced to move back to their local government headquarters, adding that each displaced household in Maiduguri received their packages, including N100,000.

She said if the IDPs choose not to go back to their villages, they could live in Maiduguri, while accommodation and transportation had been provided for those willing to resettle.