The series of movement brought about by the activities of insurgents on internally displaced persons in the camps in north-east is becoming a concern for the government and stakeholders as SADIQ MOHAMMED reports.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, has revealed that ongoing conflicts in insurgency affected states of Nigeria’s north-east has continued to trigger movement of displaced people and increased malnutrition in children.
The UN agency (IOM) also stated that ongoing conflicts in Boko Haram insurgency-affected states in the areas, especially Borno state, has continued to trigger movements of displaced persons and increased malnutrition in children.
The IOM made this known in its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report for Nigeria made available to newsmen in Abuja last week.
According to the DTM report, between February 18 and 24 2019, 1,606 movements were recorded, including 1,505 arrivals and 101 departures amongst internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the north-east.
The statistics
It stated also that arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Bama, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Jere, Konduga, Maiduguri, Mobbar and Ngala local government areas of Borno.
The atency listed other locations of arrivals to include Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan LGAs in Adamawa state, noting that the DTM also reports that departures were recorded at Askira/Uba LGA of Borno state and Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan LGAs of Adamawa state.
It stated that the Emergency Tracking Tool (ETT) assessments identified the following movement triggers: ongoing conflict (53%), voluntary relocation (27%), poor living conditions (8%), fear of attacks (8%), improved security (3%) and military operations (1%).
While IOM said that an exhaustive screening using Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Oedema for acute malnutrition was conducted by sector partners for 199 children between six months and 59 months (six years), it also disclosed that out of the 199 children, six children from inaccessible communities had severe acute malnutrition, 19 were moderately malnourished while 174 of the children were nourished.
According to the report, no case of Oedema was reported in the four LGAs that it received reports from, however, the results also include 18 children from neighbouring countries (15 from Bama and 3 from Ngala); of all the 18 children measured, 1 child was severely and acutely malnourished.
The UN agency also said that the DTM indicated that 16 were nourished, the remaining one child was moderately malnourished and children found with acute malnutrition have been admitted in the treatment programme.
“In Konduga LGA of Borno state, 564 arrivals were recorded and they included 563 arrivals from Bakin Kasuwa in Doro ward and1 arrival from Kasuwan Katako in Baga ward of Kukawa LGA of Borno state.
“The new arrivals reported to have relocated due to the ongoing conflict,’’ the report said.
Government on top of situation- Gov Shettima
But on the contrary, Governor Kashim Shettima of the state had earlier last month stated that his government had spent a lot of resources to cater for the over 50,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon Republic from Rann Kala Balge LGA in Nigeria.
He added that the movements of the IDPs from Nigeria to Cameroon border and back to Gamboru Ngala town for them to even exercise their franchise was on course in batches in collaboration with the appropriate authorities.
The governor had further reassured of his government commitment and determination to providing alternative succour for the IDPs who have been terrorised and displaced by the persistent attacks of the insurgents along the fringes of the Lake Chad River Basin, especially, the fishermen and farmers.
While the Nigerian Military also was of the view that all efforts were out in place to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry in their course of countering the insurgency in the entire north east region. According to him, all the needed logistics in terms of equipment, manpower and personnel have been provided by the federal government for the multinational task force, Nigerian Army, Navy and Air force that are directly participating the fight and recording successes.
The UN agency also said the situation has contributed to the growing number of children who are malnourished in the region
Between Monday, February 18, and Sunday, February 24, 1,606 movements were recorded, claiming that arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Bama, Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Jere, Konduga, Maiduguri, Mobbar and Ngala local government areas of Borno.
IOM further explained that the DTM report disclosed that departures were recorded at Askira/Uba local government area of Borno, as well as in Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan local government areas of Adamawa including other listed locations of arrivals like Demsa, Fufore, Maiha and Numan local government areas of Adamawa.
“Nine arrivals from Anguwan Sarki in Askira East ward of Askira/Uba LGA tracked at Leho in Zadawa ward of Askira/Uba LGA, 14 departures from Gatamarwa ward of Chibok LGA and 5 departures from Ajari in Hausari/Gadamayo ward of Gwoza LGA of Borno state.
“A total of 56 per cent of the new arrivals are reported to have relocated due to the ongoing conflict, 38 per cent due to fear of attacks, 3% due to improved security while 3% relocated voluntarily. The departure was due to poor living conditions.
“From Ngala LGA, Borno state, 283 arrivals were recorded which included 206 arrivals from Gura on Makari ward of Marwa in Cameroon and 77 arrivals from Rann ward of Kala Balge LGA.
“73 per cent of the new arrivals were reported to have relocated due to poor living conditions and 27% due to the ongoing conflict,’’ the DTM revealed.”
It added that 76 arrivals were recorded in Bama, Borno, namely; 13 from Wudula and Buduwa wards tracked at GSSSS camp and Banki IDPs camp in Bama local government area.
It stated that still in Bama, 23 arrivals from Darajama ward and four from Soye ward, seven from Jango in Dure ward of Gwoza local government area and 29 arrivals from Mokolo ward of Marwa in Cameroon were also recorded.
According to the DTM, 45 per cent of the new arrivals reported relocated due to poor living conditions while 55 per cent relocated voluntarily.
It will be recalled that the conflict in the Lake Chad Basin region led to displacement of over seven million people across the region, with 1.8 million IDPs from the worst affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Meanwhile, it was previously reported that refugees from Baga camp on Tuesday, February 5, took to the streets of Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state to protest.
The protesters during the incident barricaded a major highway – Maiduguri/Kano Expressway to register their displeasure.
