Displacement Burden

In the volatile landscape of Nigeria, the safety of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is a major concern. This has led to widespread displacement, home destruction, and livelihood disruptions, making it a critical issue. Nigeria consistently ranks among global leaders in internally displaced persons, with 2,375,661 IDPs recorded by the International Organisation for Migrations’ Displacement Tracking Matrix. Despite efforts from the government and humanitarian organisations to aid resettlement, numerous challenges persist, exacerbating the insecurity faced by IDPs.

Joint efforts between the Nigerian government and non-state entities such as civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have sought to accommodate IDPs in formal and informal camps. However, the statistics on internal displacement in Nigeria continue to worsen, underscoring the security challenges faced by the IDPs and host communities. In July 2017, 15 people were injured, and at least eight people were killed in a series of bomb attacks on two IDP camps in Maiduguri, Borno State. Similarly, on July 7, 2023, 43 IDPs were killed in a herdsmen attack in Benue State. While the Nigerian constitution emphasises that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the government’s primary concern”, there has been some level of inadequacy by the government to live up to the goal of security and protection of citizens.

Borno State, with 1.8 million internally displaced people, began closing all IDP camps in Maiduguri, the state capital, in 2021. The shutdowns violated Nigeria’s obligations under international and African regional law regarding the rights of internally displaced persons by forcing displaced people to leave the camps without their consent, sufficient information, or viable alternatives to ensure their safety and livelihoods, forcing them from an already existing state of insecurity to worse conditions. Nigeria had previously committed to upholding the rights of internally displaced persons by ratifying the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (“Kampala Convention“). However, allowing the premature closure of IDP camps contravened this commitment, further emphasising the government’s shortcomings in executing its constitutional duty to ensure the security of Nigerians.

Insecurity continues to impact IDPs in Nigeria, extending beyond violence to food insecurity, limited healthcare access, risk of sexual violence, communal violence and inadequate shelter. The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes a concerning trend in the rising number of IDPs, which contrasts sharply with available resources. Returning IDPs often find homes destroyed or occupied, leading to overcrowded camps or settlements, straining already limited resources and posing challenges to accessing essentials like water, sanitation, and healthcare.

IDP camps in Nigeria grapple with persistent issues, including overcrowding, compromising living conditions, and access to clean water and sanitation facilities. This exposes residents to disease spread while challenges like malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and insufficient access to medical services persist. Some camps face security threats, adding vulnerability to the displaced population and complicating humanitarian aid delivery. Coordination of relief efforts among government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and international partners encounters impediments, contributing to delays in assisting IDPs.

Collaborative efforts between the Nigerian government and humanitarian organisations aim to improve the situation, including establishing new camps, providing food and medical aid, and addressing root causes through conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The international community, including the United Nations and various NGOs, actively provides humanitarian aid, covering areas such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education for displaced populations.

However, challenges persist, and the security situation remains a primary concern, with sporadic attacks by insurgents disrupting stabilisation efforts. Prolonged displacement continues to affect education adversely, with many children unable to attend school regularly, perpetuating cycles of poverty and impeding the country’s long-term recovery prospects.

A comprehensive approach is crucial to address the insecurity within IDP camps. Improvements should be made to the infrastructure of the camps, including better lighting, secure fencing, and well-constructed housing, to enhance overall security. Prioritising education and ensuring that children in IDP camps have access to quality education can contribute to a sense of normalcy and hope for the future. Additionally, implementing psychosocial support programs to address the mental health and trauma experienced by IDPs can contribute to a more stable and secure environment.

Residents should have more opportunities to engage in income-generating activities, promoting economic stability and reducing desperation that can lead to criminal behaviour. This can be achieved by establishing vocational training programs to enhance the skills of the IDPs, making them more employable. In addition, efforts must be made to conduct regular assessments of the security situation in IDP camps and be willing to adapt strategies based on changing circumstances. Community policing initiatives involving residents in security efforts can be established within the camps, and local volunteers can be trained and empowered to work alongside security forces.

On the broader spectrum, security agencies should develop and maintain intelligence networks to gather information about potential security threats to better protect the IDP camps, as well as the host communities. Additionally, the government must deploy strategic methods to tackle insecurity nationwide. By investing in national security, insecurity can be managed and sustainable security of lives can be ensured.

Finally, the state of IDPs and IDP camps in Nigeria is a complex issue. While progress has been made in addressing immediate needs, sustained progress requires tackling root causes, enhancing stakeholder coordination, and ensuring adequate funding for humanitarian interventions. Security efforts should be deployed to secure the entire country, as it will be counterproductive to secure IDP camps without addressing the root cause of insecurity. Sustained monitoring and adaptive responses are essential to address the evolving challenges IDPs face in Nigeria.