Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed fear over the state of the returnee Internal Displaced persons (IDPs) being exposed to the possibility of Boko Haram terrorists attack.
The governor’s concern is coming barely few day after the state government shut down the Dalori-1, Dalori-2, Gubio and Muna IDP camps in Maiduguri.
He noted that “the citizens have suffered enough that the state government cannot continue to keep them in the IDPs camps”.
The governor also expressed concern about the dwindling economy and poverty level of the citizenry which if not tackled, he said such situations may force some people to be conscripted into Boko Haram sect and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
Zulum added that his administration will, however, do everything possible to ensure that more communities are resettled in a dignified and willing manner in accordance with the international law and standard.
“The only way to address the problems of insurgency is for the government to address the root cause which among others includes increasing poverty, infrastructure deficit and the climate vulnerabilities”.
“Therefore, what we need to do is to return the IDPs to their ancestral homes in a dignified manner. Nobody is forced to return to his ancestral home, we are here to support voluntary return in accordance with the Kampala Convention”.
” People will be supported with means of livelihood so that they earned their means of livelihood by themselves, otherwise our people shall continue to live in the IDPs camps,” Zulum said.
He further explained that all IDPs camps in the state will be closed before the expiration of his tenure while appealing to the Federal Government to initiate a medium and long sustainable framework to curb the over-dependence on humanitarian support by the IDPs.
The governor however appreciated the Chairman, Victim Support Fund (VSF), General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) for his financial support which has helped in cushioning the plights of the victims and government of the state since 2009 to date.
Zulum further enjoined the returnee IDPs to make good use of the financial assistance and humanitarian support extended to them by the federal and state governments.
He also urged the people to assist the security agents with useful information of any suspicious movement or element in their midst.
