Several residents of Borno State, who are not officially registered as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), have infiltrated camps meant for flood victims, citing the unbearable economic hardship in the country.
Many of the infiltrators, primarily women, have admitted to seeking shelter and aid in the camps due to widespread poverty and hunger in the state.
During an interactive session with newsmen on Monday, residents from various parts of Borno expressed frustration over their exclusion from the food and cash distributions being provided in the camps. Despite not being official flood victims, they argued that their dire economic situation justified their presence in the camps.
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One of the infiltrators, Aisha Kuda, who entered the camp at Ajilari Community Secondary School, explained that the worsening economic crisis has driven families like hers to desperation. “We are suffering from hunger; our children have started stealing due to poverty. Our girls are getting unwanted pregnancies because they are lured with money,” Kuda lamented. “That is why we are going there to get something to eat.”
She pleaded for the government to extend the same assistance provided to IDPs to other vulnerable residents who are not living in the camps but are equally affected by the crisis. “We are pleading with the government to help us as they are helping the IDPs because we are in a critical condition too,” she added.
Another resident, Safiya Abdullahi, pointed out the unjust exclusion of flood victims who are not living in the official camps but are still struggling with the aftermath of the disaster. Safiya, whose family was displaced from Gwange during the floods, revealed that they have been staying with relatives in Wulari. When she and her family visited the Bakassi camp to seek aid, they were turned away because they were not registered as camp residents.
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“We are hungry. Not everyone can stay in the camp because some have relatives who are not affected, just like myself,” Abdullahi said. “When the flood came, my family was displaced from Gwange, and we left to stay with my relative in Wulari.
When we heard about the food and cash distribution in Bakassi camp, we went there. Upon getting there, they said we were not eligible to receive items. This happened the day the governor visited to share 10,000 Naira in the camp.”
Hannah Johnson, another resident of Maiduguri, mentioned that she had witnessed donations from various church denominations, including Dunamis and Apostle Suleiman’s church, to the flood camps. Despite this, Johnson lamented the exclusion of those who chose not to stay in the camps.
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“I know some churches have donated. Even though it was meant for those in the camp, some of us were affected by the flood, and we decided to stay out of the camp. How can you remove us from the list of beneficiaries?” Johnson questioned. She recalled her experience in Yerwa camp, where she was denied aid because she was not living in the camp.
Government Response
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State had earlier raised concerns about the infiltration of camps by people who were not officially affected by the flood. He directed that camps being operated in schools would be closed to allow educational activities to resume across the state.
As the economic situation in Nigeria worsens, many residents who are not officially registered as IDPs are struggling to access the same relief that is being provided in the camps, leading to growing tensions between camp residents and those living outside.
The situation highlights the broader challenges of equitable aid distribution in times of crisis, as both flood victims and economically disadvantaged residents seek relief.
The government and humanitarian organizations are being urged to address the growing disparities and ensure that vulnerable groups, both inside and outside the camps, receive the support they desperately need.