FROM SAMSON ALFA MINNA
Hunger and health challenges are confronting Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas of Niger State, with the state government being accused of negligence.
A team from the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, visited the camps and observed with dismay the total neglect of the inhabitants.
Some of the IDPs in Gwada and Kuta complained that they had been in an unbearable situation in terms of hunger and malnutrition, in addition to health challenges.
According to the desk officer and coordinator in Shiroro, Yusuf Kuta, the camp has 1,119 women, 2,511 children, 87 men including 38 women from Zamfara State, although more victims are outside the camp.
He told the press that the attacks were of two kinds both from bandits and Boko Haram which is already affecting 42 communities in three local governments areas.
Kuta explained that 50 malnourished children are undergoing treatment due to lack of adequate food for breastfeeding women in the camp, calling for urgent intervention from the relevant authorities.
He thanked Nigerian Red Cross for its recent support.
He said Kuta IDP camp came into existence in 2019 as a result of bandits attack.
“Our communities have been burnt down making us to suffer untold hardship. Some of them are sick and currently in the hospital and we don’t have adequate drugs.
“About 80 people sleep in one classroom, that alone can cause diseases. It was only recently that the local government chairman supported us with some drugs, but it did not last more than three to four weeks because of the number of sick people,” he said.
One of the IDPs, Ahmed Al-Mustapha lamented the inadequate accommodation, acute shortage of food, out-of-school children, diseases, lack of toilet facilities and security in their various communities.
He stated that since the military vacated their community the criminals had continued to perpetrate their attacks on daily basis, especially the current Boko Haram suspects who had embarked on killing and slaughtering of the people, forcing them to leave the area completely.
A widow, Hasiya Shuaibu from Bassa community whose husband died during a recent attack decried the lack of security in their communities and weapons for the local vigilantes to counter the criminals.
She noted that they have been left to their fate, to defend themselves and called on government to end insecurity.
Mother of one of the malnourished children, Sadiya Mahmuda disclosed that they had nothing doing and could not afford enough food, medical bills and even the over crowded situation is detrimental to their health and that of the children.
Also speaking, an IDP from Bassa, Rabiu Iliya said they have lost their means of livelihood, forcing them to resort to begging to provide for their families.
Reacting to the situation, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Baba Yumu said over 42,000 IDPs are currently in the three most affected local government areas, with 75 communities most hit.
He explained that Governor Umar Bago’s administration had been doing its best in providing succour for the victims within the available resources.
