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Boko Haram: When IDPs Prefer To Live In Camps

Published

10 years ago

June 20, 2016

By James BWALA Life in most of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, the hotbed of the Boko Haram insurgency has been in its lowest ebb. Gloom, anxiety, self pity fill the faces of people in these camps owing to the fact that they miss their homes so much but could not return. Reason is so obvious; it is not safe yet to return home. Aishatu Audu, an IDP, who also helps other women in cooking at the Dalori camp, told National Trail that life has lost its meaning because people are no longer their brothers’ keepers. She said she has been praying for peace to return to her village ‘Shettimari,’ a place synonymous with her 46 years sojourn on earth. According to her, until Boko Haram struck she never knew suffering, as all she does is farming and taking care of her children. “We do not have money neither do we have palaces. Our village has no electricity, but we lived happily in our round-hut with our children and they play happily before us. We never knew that people can kill other people for no just cause. But here we are with dashed hope. Our children, some of them are nowhere, husbands have been killed. All of us here are mostly widows; all we could do is waiting day and night for what government is promising. We really want to return to our once happy homes,” she said. In the camp along Konduga Road, government has evacuated over 300 people – children and the aged – from Bama Local Government Area. People from this area fear that the war against Boko Haram insurgents may just have begun and their hope of returning home soon may not be possible. Speaking on the recent return to Maiduguri of some of the IDPs who were return back to Bama and why she was still in Maiduguri, Aishatu said: ‘Bama is second home to Boko Haram like Gwoza, which is their former caliphate. I believe the evacuation of the remaining people in Bama to Maiduguri is the best government has done, but returning them is the wrong some people cannot forgive government. Nothing seemed to be going on in those areas, there is fear that just as the Boko Haram returned to Gworza and killed many people when the people are about packaging themselves again, they may likely head for Bama also with a mission of reclaiming it from the military forces. If they did come back, the lives of these innocent children – who are mostly orphans – and the aged who could not run out of Bama due to their aged would be in jeopardy. So, I think that informed the reason why some people desire to return among those who were said to have return. “I appreciate government for the efforts to evacuate them back, but they did not seek the consent of the people. When they first evacuated them they said it was because the lives of innocent citizens are in danger. But those who went back and return said their lives is better here in Maiduguri and they feel more safe here than back in Bama.”
She said although the evacuation is a burden on government, it was necessary if the effort of government towards ending the Boko Haram crises is anything to go by. Speaking on the problems they are faced with in the camp, Aisha said “Our major problem after food is where to sleep as there are inadequate bed spaces in the camp. Because of the poor sanitary condition, we are also exposed to mosquitoes, especially women and children, and we also have inadequate mosquito nets. Even when few mosquito nets are provided, there are no places to tie them because we sleep on the floor,” she said. Aisha also complained of lack of drugs at the camp’s clinics, disclosing that the only drug they get was paracetamol. “No matter the complaints, all you get is
paracetamol and when we go to hospitals in the town, they ask for money, which we don’t have,” he explained. But she said, for most of them, going back to their homes is like asking them to go back and have a date with death. She said, they prefer the camp for now because even when they cannot afford three square meal at least they can sleep with their eyes close because of the presence of the security operatives within the metropolis. According to her, those who were evacuated back home and return said, those areas are not habitable. Recalling when they were first brought to Maiduguri, Aisha said, “The children and the aged have suffered much at the hands of Boko Haram before soldiers took control of the local government. Some of them watched their children being slaughtered before their eyes but could not do anything. They have seen horror and lived day by day suffering at the hands of Boko Haram without help. Some of them died because of lack of care, and now that the war against Boko Haram is becoming a reality towards bringing it to an end. I think these people deserved to have peace at least and not to be faced with another bloody situation.” National Trail also observed that some of the victims who are currently housed at the 200 housing estate along Gubio road have been getting visitors regularly from well- meaning Nigerians and NGOs who brought food and medicine for them due to their conditions. Some of them who recently return back to camp said, they return owing to lack of food and fear of the unknown.

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WHO: Nigeria Records Zero Ebola Cases After Evacuation of Swiss Couple

Published

13 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Our Reporter

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that Nigeria currently has no active Ebola cases following the evacuation of the country’s index patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, to Switzerland for further medical care.

Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this on Monday in a post on his X handle, stating that the female patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical personnel successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness.

“Both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens,” Janabi said.

He commended the Nigerian medical team for stabilising the patient before her evacuation, adding that Switzerland would now take responsibility for her continued treatment and the monitoring of her husband.

“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he said.

However, Janabi stressed that vigilance remains essential, noting that Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland would take over the follow-up of the 53rd contact, who is the patient’s husband.

He also praised the Federal Government, health workers, clinicians and emergency responders for their role in managing the case.

Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s index Ebola patient was evacuated to Switzerland for further treatment.

The 42-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, was airlifted aboard a medical evacuation aircraft at about 6am from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, confirmed the evacuation, stating that the patient’s husband remained asymptomatic.

“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” Pate said in a post on X.

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APC BLASTS ATIKU OVER ‘BOLA’ REMARK ABOUT TINUBU

Published

2 weeks ago

October 12, 2026

Our Reporter

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for addressing President Bola Tinubu as “Bola”, accusing the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate of allowing political ambition to undermine his statesmanship.

The APC PCC spokesperson and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, stated this on Monday, arguing that Atiku had failed to demonstrate the decorum expected of a former vice-president and a presidential aspirant.

Atiku has repeatedly referred to the President by his first name rather than his official title. He has also described Tinubu’s administration as a “Yahoo Yahoo” government, accused it of dishonesty and questioned the President’s educational background.

Reacting to the controversy, Alake said the APC was concerned about what it considered disrespect for the office of the President, adding that Atiku’s conduct fell short of the standards expected of someone seeking the nation’s highest office.

“Since Alhaji Atiku lost the last presidential election, he has allowed political animosity and uncontrollable ambition to rob him of the statesmanship that should guide his public conduct and utterances,” Alake said.

He further accused the former vice-president of setting a poor example for younger politicians through his public comments and political conduct.

Despite its criticism, the APC campaign council urged its leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue treating Atiku with the respect due to a former vice-president and presidential candidate.

Alake said the party would not mirror what it described as Atiku’s approach to political engagement, insisting that its campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, the party’s programmes and Tinubu’s record in office.

According to him, the APC intends to highlight the administration’s efforts to move the country from economic reforms to prosperity as Tinubu seeks a second term.

The council maintained that its campaign would prioritise policy discussions and the President’s achievements rather than personal exchanges with political opponents.

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El-Rufai Prays for Late Audu Ogbeh, Says He Deserves Al-Jannah Firdaus Despite Being Catholic

Published

1 year ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described the late Chief Audu Ogbeh as a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the service of others, praying that God grants him eternal rest in paradise.

Speaking in a video shared by Symfoni TV, El-Rufai acknowledged that Ogbeh was a Catholic, not a Muslim, but said he would continue to pray that Allah admits him into Al-Jannah Firdaus because “he is deserving of it.”

Holding back tears, the former governor praised Ogbeh as “a good man” who touched many lives and left behind a legacy of service. He also recalled Ogbeh’s achievements as Minister of Agriculture, noting that under his leadership Nigeria ended its heavy reliance on rice imports.

“Before his reforms, Nigeria was spending five million dollars monthly on rice imports, but that figure dropped to zero during his tenure,” El-Rufai said.

He prayed for comfort for Ogbeh’s family and loved ones, adding: “I will keep praying for Audu Ogbeh, a Catholic and not a Muslim, so that Allah would grant him entrance to Al-Jannah Firdaus. What a great man he was.”

Do you want me to make this more emotional and tribute-like (focusing on Ogbeh’s character and legacy), or keep it strictly factual and political?