Travails of Boko Haram refugees living in Abuja

IDPs including women and children

Fatimah Abdulahi is a mother of two beautiful girls. She is aged 20, married to Yusuf Abdullahi, a farmer from Adamawa State. They are blessed with Fatima aged two and Zainab, who is just three weeks old. The couple lived peacefully until the enemy struck. Unfortunately, the family was made homeless. Fatimah and her two children had a sordid experience before they escaped from den of the insurgent. They slept in the bush for two days and eventually became victims of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after insurgents chased them out of their home.

Fatimah as at today is not even sure if her husband is alive or otherwise. Sadly, she was not alone as she was among about 3, 865 displaced persons forced out of their home as a result of frequent insecurity in the country.

Mr. Job Pitman (52) from Shendam local Government, Plateau State is a father of nine children. He lamented how his family made Cashew tree a shelter. They slept under the three for survival in Lokogoma. Apart from the painful experience they were subjected to during the raining season, they already lost hope. About 200 people reportedly made this tree their resident.  

“They came to pursue us where we were staying. They demolish the small makeshift wooden house. So we presently live under cashew tree. It was madam Adaorah that came to our place to see how we were surviving. She asked if it was human being that was living under the tree and I answered yes.

“We don’t have money and even if we have money, we cannot go back because of the crisis. Election is near but we cannot vote because our voters’ card is in Jos. We want government to just come to our rescue, help us like this woman is helping because we have lost hope. They should help us with a place to live,” Pitman said.

Another Victim, Mrs. Hanatu Peter (25) from Jos also lamented how she slept under the bridge with her husband and a-three year old daughter before she went to Kuchingoro. “We relocated from Jos because of the crisis. My husband does not have any work, so we stayed at Kuchingoro in a small batcha(makeshift woodhouse). Before then, we were sleeping under the bridge with my three months old baby. So we have been managing before God sent this aunty to us. Every time she will bring food and cloth to us and check on us.

“I want government to build a place for us and create a job so that we will be able to feed ourselves.”

It is clear these groups are vulnerable. The terror had thorn their families apart leaving indelible mark in their history. The psychologies of their infants have been eroded with sordid experiences while growing. Unfortunately, they would have stories to tell. 

North East, no doubt, is worst hit by the Boko Haram Islamic Sect. Implication of this is that it has crippled socio-economic activities of the state. Resident who could not hold on but escaped to neighbouring nations are either subjected to modern slavery or recruited into terrorist camps. According to reports, not less than 5, 000 people have lost their lives between July 2009 - June 2014 while over 650, 000 persons were displaced with an increase of 200, 000 since May 2014. The terror left thousands in anguish and despicable situations. Clearly, the wound will take a while to heal. The United Nations annual global trends report revealed an increasing 51.2 million displaced persons across the world, compared with 45.2 million recorded in 2012. This incidentally became a worrying trend that calls for peace and resolution among areas of high conflicts.

"We are seeing here the immense costs of not ending wars, of failing to resolve or prevent conflict.

"Peace is today dangerously in deficit. Humanitarians can help as a palliative, but political solutions are vitally needed. Without this, the alarming levels of conflict and mass suffering that is reflected in these figures will continue," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres.

According to the Initiator of YellowJerrican Save a Child Foundation, Adaora Onyechere there was need for change of approach to address IDP needs. She emphasised how improper care of the vulnerable group could intensity insecurity in the territory. As for her, government ought to create a reliable database in that respect. Relevant NGOs and government agencies should harmonise their activities to properly address the needs.

“The urban procession of these displaced persons is not only a major template for an increase in violence and crimes but also a corrosive fabric for rebellion and anti-government, premeditated activities through these persons who are highly gullible and detrimental to the fabric of Nigeria’s politics and government’s transformation agenda.”

At Waru district in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja Review learnt that about 2, 000 refugees had stormed the community to live with their relatives or friends just for survival. Few months after, about 1, 856 persons also left the crisis thorn region for the community. Since the town was becoming more dominated, it captured attention of philantropists and government agencies. Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) paid visits to them to show them love. Though, an official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) discredited the figure. According to her, about 200 displaced persons were recorded in the community.    

Meanwhile, during the launch of the Presidential Committee on Victims Support Fund (VSF) for the IDPs on July, 2014, the committee, chaired by Danjuma was able to rake about N80 billion. Danjuma alone made a donation of about N1.6b. It was recorded the highest single donation to the fund. Perhaps, that was the rationale he was made Chairman and custodian of the Fund.

The VSF was mandated to develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising, ascertain persons, communities and economic assets affected by Boko Haram terror activities. Other responsibilities include assess and determine the appropriate support required in each case, to manage disburse or administer support to the victims as appropriate. It also include addressing related challenges as may be appropriate and advise government on other matters necessary or incidental to support victims of boko haram terror activities.

Ironically, as the committee began its implementation, things became twisted. The IDPs demanded a change of approach. They wanted to be empowered and provided with basic necessities, rather than just being fed with staple foods. The IDPs disclosed that the relief materials were commendable but ephemeral.

Prior to this period, Fatimah acknowledged her experience from the insurgents but was cautious to speak about her experience. "I came from istraba in Adamawa state. We traveled trecking a very long distance with my children. We even slept in the bush for two days until we got to this place. I have two children. Fatima is two years and while Zainab is three weeks old. We left my husband there. I have spent one month here but i dont know how we will serve." Asked about their welfare, she said "anything they give us, we will take. I want my children to go to school but we dont know if government will help us."

Representative of the IDPs from Borno State, Mr. Paul Amos also told the committee, at the flag off of Support to Victims of Terrorism, in Abuja that they needed jobs. "Even though we are receiving some relief materials, government should do more.

"We thank God and the General for their supports. We have suffered a lot but the lord will still continue to protect us.

"I am talking on behalf of others. Our plea to the government is that we have youths, Senior School Certificate holders, Graduates, National Diploma Holders who do not have jobs. We need job. Please listen to us. Please consider us. Please assist us. We cannot rely on this alone. Among us, we have people whose families are far apart.

"For over a year now, we have not gone to school. Over a year, we have no job. We cannot continue to rely on food alone. Some are looking for help in Cameroun, Yobe. We are living here alone without our families. There are missing brothers, sisters and wives," Amos said.

Another representative, Mr. Elisha Ezekiel said he came to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Borno on 26th May, 2014. According to him, about 2, 000 IDPs were in Waru village until another 1,865 came. He said prior to visit of the VSF, a christian group, House on the Rock  and other NGOs visited the victims and gave relief materials. As for him, there was need for government to meet their immediate need such as shelter, jobs among others.

"Basically, as we are, we are homeless, they burnt our houses, kill our brothers and our parents. As we are living here, majority of our brothers are sleeping under the tree, some are sleeping in mechanic garages.

"We do not have shelter, no means of livelihood. So we don't want government to give us fish but teach us how to fish. That is our problem." Other concerned representatives were Amos Luka, Toma James and Mary Paul.

Chairman of the VSF, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma disclosed that the organisation would proceed to help IDPs in the North East after the flag off. Danjuma told the refugees that the VSF would provide them with necessary supports. He assured them and their families of needed interventions, adding that issues of IDPs required easy solution.

He said the VSF was setup to identify ways of raising alternative funds to support victims of terrorism. Danjuma, who donated about N1.6 billion at the launch of the Fund on 31st July, 2014 described the event as a reminder to the tragedy caused by insurgents in the north east.

He told the victims of terrorism to feel among. "No one can take your future from you. We will be by your side throughout this journey," he stated. Reacting to their request, Danjuma said the donations were made by corporate organisations and individuals, adding that those who made pledges had not fulfil their promises.

Executive Director, VSF, Sunday Ochoche said the Fund was committed to implement programmes that will address harms caused by terrorism.

Traditional Head of Waru District, Alh. Ibrahim Seriki commended the federal government for the initiative. He said issues of security should be a collective efforts adding that every individual should be security conscious.