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Boko Haram: When IDPs Prefer To Live In Camps

Published

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

Published

2 weeks 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?

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Facilitation

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a man whose life continues to illuminate the path of honour, courage, and patriotism: Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd.), on the occasion of his 76th birthday. It is not only a moment of personal reflection but a national milestone, as we honour a soldier, statesman, pro-democracy icon, and moral conscience of our nation.

Colonel Umar stands tall among Nigeria’s most principled voices; his name evoking an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and democratic ideals. In the tumultuous days following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, when many chose silence or self-preservation, he chose the difficult path of truth. He risked his career, comfort, and personal safety by speaking out in defence of Chief MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate, despite being a senior member of the ruling military council. It was a singular act of bravery that not only inspired a generation but redefined the meaning of loyalty to country over convenience.

As a young civil rights activist in those difficult days, I found in Colonel Umar not just a role model, but a moral compass. He demonstrated to us that true leadership is not merely about wielding power, but standing firm in defence of what is right, even at great personal cost. His resignation from the Nigerian Army at a time when he stood poised for further elevation is perhaps one of the most courageous acts in our political history.

As Governor of Kaduna State today, I draw deep inspiration from his sterling example of inclusive leadership. His tenure as military governor of this great state remains a reference point for fairness, balance, and peacebuilding. In a deeply diverse and, at times, fractured society, he governed with wisdom, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in our shared humanity.

Colonel Umar’s transcendence of ethnic and religious divides has never required a denial of his own identity. Rather, he has drawn strength from it: his noble Fulani lineage, his deep Islamic faith, and his enduring belief that justice is the foundation of peace.

I am proud to stand among those who celebrate him, not only for his past heroism, but for his continued voice of conscience in our national life. I also warmly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring him with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), a richly deserved recognition.

Happy 76th birthday, our highly revered Colonel Dangiwa Umar. May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

Senator Uba Sani, CON
Governor, Kaduna State

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Natasha; Defamations Charges On Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Suffers Adjournment

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

For the second time in 24 hours, the trial of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello suffered an adjournment.

The trial scheduled to kick-start on Tuesday was put off by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja following objections raised by the suspended senator against the competence of the charges.

Natasha predicated her objections on the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF by filing charges against her at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on the same subject matter and same complaints.

When the matter was called, David Kaswe, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice informed the court of his readiness to open the case against the defendant.

He claimed to have his first witness, a Superintendent of Police, Abdulhafeez Garba in court to testify against the senator.

He requested for permission of the court to call the witness into the witness box.

The request was however opposed by lead counsel to the defendant Mr Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN on the ground that his client has filed a motion on notice, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.

West-Idahosa said that the motion has been served on the Attorney General of the Federation AGF as required by law but that the AGF had not responded.

In the drama that ensued, the federal government lawyer who announced appearance for the AGF Office argued that he ought to have been served personally or be informed on phone on the filing of the motion and requested that Natasha’s claim be rejected.

However, the trial Judge, Justice Chizoba Orji found in the case file that the AGF office was served with the motion but had not responded as required by law.

At this point, the federal government lawyer admitted that the AGF had been out of the country and as such, has not made the motion available to him.

After taking arguments for and against adjournment, Justice Chizoba Orji held that the proper thing was to shift trial to enable AGF respond to the motion in the interest of fair hearing.

The Judge subsequently fixed October 27 for Natasha’s motion to be heard along with the response of the AGF.

About two thousand sympathizers escorted the senator to court thereby giving security agents hectic job to control crowd and ward off security breaches.

Natasha’ was on Thursday, June 19, 2025 docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.

She was put on trial by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on three-count criminal charges bordering on harmful imputations during a television interview.

When the charges were read, she pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Justice Chizoba admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in the like sum in the charge marked CR/297/25 filed on May 15, 2025.

The judge had held that the surety must be an owner of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Natasha was, in count one, accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.

In count two, she was accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

In count three, she was accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniobong.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha, granting her access to the the National Assembly six months after her suspension.